Govt sees huge potential for organic farming in A&N islands

Andaman and Nicobar Islands has huge potential to scale up organic farming, Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said today.
Currently, organic farming is being taken up on a small scale in about 321 hectares of the Union Territory.
"The island has immense potential and is favourably placed for organic farming due to less use of chemical fertilisers and abundant species," Singh said in Port Blair.
The aim is to convert the UT into an organic farming island and therefore efforts are being made to create more awareness among farmers and consumers, he said in a statement.
Highlighting the measures being taken, the minister said the Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) has developed model coconut organic farms to showcase to farmers.

Since identifying authentic organic produce in the islands is a major challenge, the authorities have been working to train employees and implement a partnership guarantee model, he said.

The minister further said organic markets are being developed through local marketing programmes so that organic produce can be made available to household consumers.
In order to ensure sale of organic produce, the administration is working to develop Andaman Bazaar. Besides, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has taken the responsibility of organic exports, he said.
"Organic farming should be promoted with the same spirit as Green Revolution," Singh added.