SHILLONG, Aug 21: After opposition onslaught against the MDA on organic farming, suspended Congress MLA PT Sawkmie has defended the government stating that the previous Mukul Sangma-led MUA Government had failed itself when it came to Mission Organic in the state.
“The decision of implementing Mission Organic was taken without any proper survey on the ground and farmers were not consulted while implementing the mission,” Sawkmie said
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma had said the government does not understand the importance of promoting organic farming.
Asking the former chief minister to appreciate the incumbent government for following up on the mission, the suspended Congress leader said the MDA should now think of implementing a better programme since MUA’s Mission Organic failed.
Claiming that farmers in the state faced huge losses since 2014, Sawkmie warned the government to be careful while introducing a policy to ensure that farmers do not suffer.
It may be mentioned that the ban on use of fertilisers was imposed in 2014, when Mukul was the Chief Minister, in a bid to promote organic farming. However, the MDA recently lifted the ban on use of fertilisers.
“I have always said there is need for an in-depth understanding for any policy maker to see that any decision which was arrived at does not backfire. This whole endeavour to promote organic farming was appreciated by everyone and it is highly needed,” Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma told reporters on Saturday.
Sangma had said the MDA can explain to the Prime Minister how they have besmirched the mission after a significant sum of money was infused for the programme. According to him, the investment was not only from the state’s resources but also the resources which were passed on by the Centre.
“This whole investment has gone down the drain because of lack of knowledge,” he had said.
Moreover, Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh had earlier asserted that the government is still committed to promote organic farming in the state
As per Lyngdoh, the decision to lift the ban for affected farmers was taken after the department carried out an in-depth research.
