With reference to organic farming in India, consider the following statements: 1. 'The National Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development. 2. 'The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority' (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP. 3. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Let's examine the statements about organic farming in India:

1. 'The National Programme for Organic Production' (NPOP) is operated under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Rural Development. This statement is incorrect. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) is implemented under the guidelines and directions of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Its primary focus is on organic certification and promotion for both export and domestic markets.

2. 'The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority' (APEDA) functions as the Secretariat for the implementation of NPOP. This statement is correct. APEDA, which falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is indeed the implementing agency and serves as the Secretariat for the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).

3. Sikkim has become India's first fully organic State. This statement is correct. Sikkim achieved the distinction of becoming India's first fully organic state in 2016. It successfully converted its entire cultivable land into certified organic land, completely phasing out the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.