In Sikkim, the Soreng district has started producing organic fish, becoming the country’s first organic fisheries cluster. Union Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched this initiative recently. The organic fisheries cluster focuses on ecologically healthy fish farming systems avoiding the use of harmful chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides.

Talking to Akashvani Correspondent, District Collector of Soreng Dhiraj Subedi said that one village of the district has been adopted for organic fishing initially on a pilot basis. He said that this initiative would help to boost the income of the farmers and also to provide chemical and pesticide-free organic fish. The District Collector further stated that to achieve success in this process, district administration along with other stakeholders is planning to dig more ponds and emphasise an adequate water harvesting system. In a later stage, organic fish farming would be implemented in all six blocks of the Soreng district. Now district administration has laid stress on training as the entire process of fish cultivation must be in organic forms and for this awareness is required. Our Correspondent reports that the Sikkim government has already adopted organic farming in the state, which helped in building a strong reputation for sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.