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'Organic farming significant for food trade'
INDIA BLOOMS NEWS SERVICE
New Delhi: July 7 (IBNS) With a combined effect of farmers’ efforts, NGO’s work, government interventions and market forces, Indian organic agriculture has reached a stage where it can play a significant role not only in the growing domestic market but also in global organic food trade, said Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday.
The Minister of Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his ministry said in India as against 42,000 ha under certified organic farming during 2003-04, initial estimates for 2009-10 indicate that organic agriculture under certification has grown to 10.5 ha, out of which nearly 7.5 lakh ha is fully certified while remaining 3 lakh ha is under various stages of conversion.
The Minister informed that Agriculture Ministry is promoting organic farming in the country by implementing various schemes such as National Project on Organic Farming, National Horticulture Mission, Technology Mission for North East and Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Pawar said that two new innovative components-biological soil health assessment and introduction of PGS certification system- have been added in the National Project on Organic Farming from the current year.
ICAR has initiated an All India Network Project on organic farming to ensure the development and promotion of scientifically proven methodologies in organic farming, Pawar added.
Describing organic farming as an ideal option for rainfed, marginal land and hilly areas, Pawar said that promotion of organic farming will not only ensure increased availability of organic and biological source of nutrients but -2- will also provide technologies and information which help other forms of agriculture in restoring soil health and conservation of resources.
He called for tapping the growing demand for organic food in domestic and international market for the benefit of farmers and the country.
Besides the efforts of Central Government various State Governments have also started their own organic farming promotion programmes.
Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram and Uttarakhand have already drafted policies for organic farming promotion. Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram and Uttarakhand have declared their intention to go 100% organic in due course of time.
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