Leh, Apr 25 : Twelve villages in Leh Sub-Division were on Friday brought under the certified organic fold with the distribution of Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India) certificates under the Large Area Certification (LAC) and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), in a move aimed at consolidating Ladakh’s transition to sustainable agriculture.
The certificates were handed over at a function held at the Chief Agriculture Office, Leh, where Deputy Director Agriculture Tashi Dolma presided over the programme. Around 50 farmers, including village heads and progressive cultivators, attended the event alongside officials of the agriculture department and representatives of the Sikkim State Organic Certifying Agency.
Officials said the inclusion of these villages under the certification framework would enable farmers to access better market linkages while adhering to verified organic standards. The exercise forms part of the ongoing Mission Organic Development Initiative of Ladakh, which seeks to convert Ladakh into a fully organic region through phased certification and cluster-based farming.
During the interaction, farmers were briefed on certification protocols, compliance requirements and the scope for value addition in organic produce. District Agriculture Officer (Extension) Shakeeel-ur-Rehman, along with Subject Matter Specialist Manzoor Ahmad and Agriculture Extension Officer Tsering Dolkar, outlined the long-term benefits of certification, including improved price realisation and enhanced credibility in national and niche markets.
Officials emphasised that certification not only formalises traditional farming practices prevalent in the region but also positions Ladakh’s produce for premium segments. They urged farmers to maintain quality standards and strengthen collective participation to sustain certification status.
The agriculture department reiterated its commitment to providing technical support and continuous guidance to ensure that certified villages retain compliance and expand organic cultivation, reinforcing Ladakh’s larger environmental and economic objectives.
