Pakyong, June 12 (IPR): An Orientation, Training-cum-Coordination Meeting on the Internal Control System (ICS) was held at Rurban Hall, Pakyong, under the theme “Strengthening Coordination among ICS Staff and Enhancing Capacity Building for the Effective Implementation of the Organic Certification Programme as per NPOP Standards.”
The programme was jointly organised by the ICS Service Provider Agency, Pakyong District, in coordination with the Agriculture & Horticulture Department, Pakyong District, to strengthen coordination among ICS personnel and build capacity for the effective implementation of organic certification programmes in the district.
A training session on ICS activities was conducted by representatives of the Concede Service Provider Agency, focusing on field-level implementation, record maintenance, internal inspections, documentation requirements and compliance procedures under the organic certification framework.
Additionally, a session on the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) Standards and Internal Control System (ICS) was delivered by Additional Director, Agriculture Department, Mr Kunga Samdup Bhutia.
During his address, he provided an overview of Organic Farming and its significance in promoting sustainable agriculture while maintaining the integrity of Sikkim’s organic status. He also shared insights on AgriStack initiatives, including the Farmers Registry and Digital Crop Survey (DCS), emphasising their importance in creating a reliable digital agricultural database and improving service delivery to farmers.
Further, Mr Kunga Samdup Bhutia elaborated on the roles and functions of certification bodies such as OneCert and Lacon, explaining the certification process and compliance requirements under NPOP. He also discussed the significance of Transaction Certificates (TCs) and the TraceNet platform, highlighting their crucial role in ensuring traceability, transparency, and authenticity throughout the organic value chain, from production to marketing.
The participants were further addressed by, Additional Director, Agriculture Department, Mr Tshering Chophel Bhutia who emphasised the need for strong coordination among all stakeholders and encouraged field functionaries to diligently implement ICS protocols to strengthen the organic certification system in the district.
Also, an interactive discussions were held on challenges faced during implementation and strategies for improving coordination, documentation, and certification compliance.
Prior to the programme, participants registered for the training session. This was followed by an overview of the training by Deputy Director, Agriculture Department, Mrs Rebecca Gurung, who highlighted the importance of coordination, documentation, capacity building, and adherence to National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards for the implementation of organic certification in the district.
The training is expected to further strengthen the capacity of ICS personnel and contribute towards the effective implementation of organic certification programmes in Pakyong District in accordance with NPOP guidelines, thereby supporting the continued promotion of sustainable and certified organic agriculture in the State.
The programme witnessed the participation from ICS staff, departmental officials, Agricultural Technology Managers (ATMs), Block Technology Managers (BTMs), and other field-level functionaries from across Pakyong District.