New Delhi: With shrinking land for day-to-day agriculture and optimum production within the reach, the Centre is now looking for organic farming and the best place seems to be the virgin North East Region.
Looking at the immense bio-diversity and natural resources in the country mainly in the North East, India needs to promote organic farming, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said recently while underlining the importance of organic farming.
He was chairing the in-session meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Agriculture Ministry in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Introducing the subject of organic farming in the form of presentation during the meeting, the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, said that the total organic production in the country is 1.24 million tonnes, while total area under organic farming constitutes 0.723 million hectare under certification.
Presently, it is being practiced mainly in 12 states out of which two states of the North East – Sikkim and Mizoram – are likely to become fully organic in a few years.
Participating in the discussion, Lok Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh, Rodmal Nagar, highlighted the need for developing collection centre laboratory for cow dung and urine, for creating organic manure/ gas which will be a source of income for farmers.
In reply to this suggestion, the Union Minister said that there was provision for assistance to farmers under the National Gokul Mission.
Lok Sabha member from Rajasthan, Sumedhanand Saraswati, suggested that government should make continuous effort towards creating awareness about organic farming at the block level through various initiatives. It can organise exhibition, presentation in villages and indicated the need to create awareness among farmers about labs and marketing of organic farming products, he said.
The Agriculture Minister assured the members of the Committee that all necessary efforts will be made by his Ministry towards their suggestions, which, included simplification of certification process of organic farming, encouraging research on organic farming in Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agriculture Universities, ICAR and proper utilization of crop residue.
