UPSC Prelims 2018 Q100: Environment & Ecology – Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Organic Farming in India - Programme, Authority, Sikkim
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NPOP is under the Ministry of Rural Development | FALSE | The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is operated under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (through APEDA), NOT the Ministry of Rural Development. |
| 2 | APEDA functions as Secretariat for NPOP implementation | TRUE | The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry is the Secretariat for NPOP, implementing the certification and labelling framework for organic exports. |
| 3 | Sikkim = India's first fully organic state | TRUE | In January 2016, Sikkim was declared India's first fully organic state by PM Narendra Modi (all agriculture converted to organic since 2003 Sikkim Organic Mission). |
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 misidentifies the ministry (Commerce, not Rural Development).
- (b) CORRECT. Statements 2 (APEDA as NPOP Secretariat) and 3 (Sikkim first organic state, 2016) are correct.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 2 (APEDA) is also correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 1 is factually wrong - NPOP is under Commerce Ministry, not Rural Development.
Key point
Organic farming architecture in India: NPOP (2001, Commerce Ministry via APEDA - for exports). PKVY (2015, Agriculture Ministry - for domestic organic). Sikkim = first fully organic state (Jan 2016). Other organic-leading states: Uttarakhand, Kerala.
Remember
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, functions as the Secretariat for the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) - NOT the Ministry of Rural Development. Sikkim became India's first fully organic state in January 2016, following its 2003 Sikkim Organic Mission.
Common mistakes
- Confusing NPOP (Commerce, exports) with PKVY - Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (Agriculture Ministry, domestic).
- Assuming NPOP is under Rural Development - it is under Commerce Ministry because it deals with export certification.
- Missing Sikkim's landmark achievement - 100% organic since 2016 following the 2003 Sikkim Organic Mission.
Exam tip
Organic ecosystem in India: NPOP (exports, APEDA/Commerce). PKVY (domestic, Agriculture). NCONF (National Centre of Organic Farming, Ghaziabad). Certification: 3rd-party or Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India).
Sources
- APEDA - NPOP Standards and Regulations
- PIB - Sikkim First Organic State Declaration (2016)