Honorable Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, Chief Minister of the Indian State of Sikkim has been celebrated as the Grand Prix Winner of the One World Award at the Organic World Congress in Delhi. His leadership and vision have managed to convert the entire Indian federal state of Sikkim – and it’s 65,000 farmers – to organic agriculture in just 12 years.
The One World Award (OWA) is the most prestigious international recognition from the organic movement, presented every three years by the pioneering German organic company RAPUNZEL and IFOAM – Organics International. This year’s winners come from Germany, Palestine, Azerbaijan, Zimbabwe, and India.
Making Sikkim 100% Organic
Honorable HCM Chamling received the Grand Prix Award together with the United World Colleges (in Freiburg, Germany & Pune, India) a couple of weeks ago at a gala which brought together about 1.000 guests from over 30 countries worldwide. The prize comes along with a total of €45,000 prize money.
Sikkim now has 100% organic, poison-free farms and fields.
Sikkim not only proves that 100% organic agriculture is possible but also inspires others to set the ambitious goal to convert all agriculture worldwide to organic farming methods. To achieve this goal, we need political leaders with strong grit and leadership like HCM Mr. Pawan Chamling.
HCM Shri Pawan Chamling shared what the OWA Award means for him and the farmers of Sikkim, saying “We are immensely happy that the achievement we have accomplished has been judged and found worthwhile by the global organic movement. All the people of Sikkim are happy and grateful for this Award. On their behalf, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the One World Award partners IFOAM and Rapunzel for this recognition.”
The activist, scientist, eco-feminist and laureate of the Alternative Nobel Prize, Dr. Vandana Shiva (Navdanya), a member of the international OWA jury, said, “Shri Chamling’s efforts have made Sikkim’s fields and society poison free, and has brought nutrition & food sovereignty to his people, while mitigating climate change. His persistent and success serves as an example to all people of the world.”
