MP to come out with organic agri-policy

To arrest the alarmingly increasing rate of chemical fertilisers, the Madhya Pradesh government will soon bring an ‘Organic Agriculture Policy.’

Probably first of its kind in India, the policy will be launched after civic body elections. A high-level meeting today decided to submit a report in this regard within 45 days from now. Against the national acreage of organic farming on 5.38 lakh hectare, MP’s share stands at 1.63 lakh hectare.

The acreage went up to 30.89 per cent during 2008-09 in the state. “This indicates how farmers are inclined towards organic farming,” Alok Bhargav, an activist and member of the committee appointed for making the policy, said.

Under the policy, the government may introduce a new system to register organic seeds, certification of organic foodgrain, creation of separate mandis for trade of organic grain and a strategy to motivate farmers that organic farming is better than modern farming, based on lethal chemical fertilisers and its increasing input cost.

“The policy will focus providing a marketing platform to the organic farmers and their agri-produces. Above all the state government will make efforts to add value to all organic produces so that they can be exported to international market,” Bhargav said.

The policy will also encourage farmers to use organic manure made from neem and cow urine. In addition, use of worm-compost will be prime on the agenda so that chemical fertilisers can be used as less as possible.

However, sources inside the government have clued BS that the BJP-ruled government will use some of its home-made non-government organisations and self-help groups to manufacture, brand and market natural compost at government expenses.