The challenge for Mizoram now would be to get its organic produce certified by accredited international agencies. This is the only way for the produce to command a premium price in the global market. The state has legislated certification and accreditation under the Accreditation Regulations 2001, as per the npop.
Some critics have panned Mizoram's legislation, claiming it has too many loopholes. They say it is excessively dependent upon the government, which has to issue notifications and rules from time to time to give it teeth. Besides, it doesn't talk about turning all the areas organic right away, nor does it fix any particular timeframe for the actions to be taken. It has been left to the state's discretion to demarcate designated areas for organic production. But Singh defends the Act: "Though the minister for agriculture, H Rammawi, wanted us to declare the entire state (besides the three autonomous districts of Mara, Lai and Chakma) organic, the department suggested we demarcate areas after checking fertiliser usage patterns as the decision should not cause short-term harm to farmers using fertilisers in some areas." He promises that the state government advisory body would soon do so and also set up a timeframe.
