SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has declared Ladakh India’s first 100 percent organic Union Territory, marking a major step towards sustainable agriculture and the protection of the region’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
The achievement recognises the efforts of farmers and the Ladakh Administration to promote chemical-free cultivation, improve soil and water health and strengthen sustainable farming practices suited to the region’s high-altitude conditions.
Congratulating farmers and other stakeholders, Saxena said the milestone reflected the potential of environmentally responsible agriculture even in challenging geographical conditions. He said the organic status must help preserve traditional farming practices, protect natural resources and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
In July 2026, the Lieutenant Governor ordered a complete ban on the procurement, distribution, sale, marketing and use of chemical and synthetic fertilisers for agricultural purposes across Ladakh. The measure aims to protect organic certification and safeguard soil and water resources.
The Administration had also arranged support for farmers during the transition. In March 2026, consignments of organic fertiliser were flagged off for distribution among farmers across Ladakh’s villages ahead of the sowing season.
The move is expected to create opportunities to increase the value of locally grown produce, including apricots, sea buckthorn, buckwheat, barley and vegetables. Improved post-harvest management, value addition, branding and market access could help farmers secure better prices for their produce.
Saxena stressed the need to ensure that organic certification translates into tangible economic gains for the farming community, including improved market access, better price realisation and sustainable livelihoods.
He also called for combining traditional agricultural knowledge with scientific support and strengthening organic supply chains, while expressing hope that Ladakh’s experience would encourage other States and Union Territories to adopt sustainable farming practices suited to their local conditions.
The initiative also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on natural farming, environmental conservation, soil health and climate-resilient agriculture.
