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| India aims to raise organic farming area to 2 mn hectares by 2012 |
| Press Trust of India / New Delhi Aug 27, 2009, 16:48 IST |
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The area under organic farming is growing steadily and is likely to touch 20 lakh hectares by 2012, an agriculture promoting body today said.
The area under organic farming witnessed nearly 39 per cent growth during 2008-09 to 12 lakh hectares compared to 8.65 lakh hectares in the year-ago period, International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) President Mukesh Gupta told reporters here.
"We are targeting the acreage under organic farming to go up to 20 lakh hectares by 2012," he said.
Besides, ICCOA is also aiming the organic food exports to grow to Rs 4,500 crore, taking the country's total global share to 2.5 per cent from the current 0.2 per cent, Gupta said.
Gupta said around Rs 60,000 crore worth food goes to waste every year at a time when the country is reeling under drought and escalating price rise.
Organic farming can help reduce the amount of wastage as the shelf life of the produce are higher, he added.
The country exports about Rs 450 crore worth organic food, he said, adding that 9.5 lakh farmers in the country have registered as organic farmers.
Gupta pointed out that organic farming, using improved variety of seeds is the best option to fight drought like situation. "Organic farming improves soil health and ensures food safety," he said.
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