With references to organic farming in India, consider the following statements:
- The National Programme for Organic Production’ (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union ministry of Rural Development.
- ‘The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority’ (APEDA), functions the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP.
- Sikkim has become India’s first fully organic State.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect
- The Ministry of Industries & Commerce has been implementing the NPOP since 2001 with the following objectives:
- To provide the means of evaluation of the certification programme for organic agriculture & products.
- To accredit certification programmes of Certification Bodies seeking accreditation.
- To facilitate the certification of organic products in conformity with the prescribed standards.
- To facilitate organic certification in conformity with the importing countries’ organic standards.
- To encourage the development of organic farming & organic processing.
Statement 2 is correct
- The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is the implementation agency for the NPOP. APEDA is providing assistance to the exporters of organic products under various components of its export promotion scheme.
Statement 3 is correct
- In January 2016, Sikkim became India’s first “100 per cent organic” State. Lakshadweep is the first Union Territory to become 100 per cent organic.
