TURA: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Thursday said district agriculture and horticulture officers should be careful about selecting land for organic farming as this might lead to certification problem in the later stage.
Sangma, who was in Garo Hills to review the implementation of various agriculture and horticulture schemes in the region, said there is a possibility of presence of harmful toxic waste that flows down the rivers from urban centres during monsoon and gets deposited on the river banks, particularly in the lower region and basin areas.
He asked officials not to mix products from basin areas as problem may arise during organic certification.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi.
Sangma directed the officials to take up aggressive campaign on organic farming and inform farmers about different measures to protect their farmlands from contamination.
“It is imperative that farmers are made aware of the importance of organic farming from the health perspective and they should ensure residue-free products for the people of the region,” he said.
He also added that the review of the time-bound schemes was necessary.
Stressing on the importance of organising and attending business conclaves, Sangma said this forum was necessary to create a link between farmers and potential buyers of the region in a simple but professional way.
On the status of floriculture in the region, he asked the department to look at the viability in terms of demand and supply as well as in terms of suitability.
