Radha Mohan Singh Underlines the Importance of Organic Farming and the Need to Promote It

The Potential of Organic farming in India is very huge because of its immense bio-diversity and natural resources in the country. There is a great need to promote the Organic farming and its practices in the country. This was stated by Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh while chairing the In-Session meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee Meeting of the Ministry of Agriculture in New Delhi today. Present on this occasion were Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan and Shri Mohanbhai Kundaria, Ministers of State in the Ministry of Agriculture. Introducing the subject of Organic Farming in the form of presentation during the meeting, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, told that the total organic production in the country is 1.24 million tons while total area under organic farming constitues 0.723 million hectare under certification. Presently it is being practiced mainly in 12 states and two states of North East namely Sikkim and Mizoram are likely to become fully organic in a few years. Participating in the discussion, MP, Shri Rodmal Nagar highlighted the need for developing collection centre cum lab for cow dung and urine, for creating organic manure/gas which will be a source of income for farmers. In reply to this suggestion, Union Minister of Agriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh told that there is a provision for assistance to farmers under the National Gokul Mission. However, the States have to take inititiative in this regard. So, far, one proposal from Madhya Pradesh has been received he added. He also mentioned that efforts will be made to increase the budget provision during the next financial year. Replying to a point raised by MP, Dr. Tapas Mandal about the organic farming, Union Minister of Agriculture, clarified that subject of organic farming comes under the purview of Agriculture Ministry where as exports of organic farming products is dealt with by the Ministry of Commerce. MP Shri Sumedhanand Saraswati suggested that Government should make continuous effort towards creating awareness about Organic farming at the block level through various initiative like Exhibition, presentation in villages. He also indicated that there is a need to create awareness among farmers about Labs and Marketing of Organic farming products. Replying to this, Shri Radha Mohan Singh asked Ministry officials to circulate full details of six Regional Centres of Organic Farming to all Members of Parliament so that they may utilise the services of these centres for training purpose to farmers particularly for villages selected under Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. Shri Radha Mohan Singh assured the members of the committee that all necessary efforts will be made by Ministry towards their suggestions, which, inter-alia, included simplication of certification process of organic farming, encouraging research on organic farming in Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Agriculture Universities, ICAR and proper utilization of crop residue. Shri Radha Mohan Singh thanked all the members for their valuable suggestions and announced that next meeting of Consultative Committee will be on the theme of ICAR in the campus of Indian Council of Agriculture Research. The Parliamentarians who attended this meeting included Shri B.N. Chandrappa, Shri Chintaman Navsha Wanaga, Smt. Kamla Devi Patle, Shri Manshankar Ninama, Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel, Shri Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama, Shri Rodmal Nagar, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Km. Shobha Karandlaje, Shri. Sumedhanand Saraswati, Dr. Tapas Mandal and Shri Shankarbhai N. Vegad. Also present were Secretary, DAC, Shri Ashish Bahuguna and senior officers of Agriculture Ministry. GC:SB:CP: consultative agri (17.12.2014)

Radha Mohan Singh Underlines the Importance of Organic Farming and the Need to Promote It

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