Modi cites Sikkim example, says need to develop north-east India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said the whole of north-east India should be developed as an "organic state" to help the region prosper and capture the global market for organic products.

Citing the example of Sikkim, which will soon become an organic state, Modi said the goal, if achieved, will transform the lives of those living in the hill states.

"Sikkim is a small state, sparsely populated, but is set to become the country's first wholly organic state, which is a matter of pride," Modi told the Lok Sabha while replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the president's address. He was speaking for the first time on the floor of the Lok Sabha.

"There exists a massive demand for organic agricultural produce in the world today. A large section of the world's population today is interested in holistic healthcare, and is willing to pay any amount of money for such organic products," he said.

"If a small state like Sikkim can do it, why can't we dream of developing the whole of north-east as an organic state? The government of India will help it in capturing the global market."

Acknowledging the "hard work that the farmers of Sikkim have put in", Modi said the project needed to be expanded.

"If this happens, the lives of those living in the hill states will change for the better," he said.