Singh urges to make India an organic nation

New Delhi: Small and marginal farmers, who are unable to meet agriculture expenditure, can switch to organic farming as it is cost-effective and profitable, said Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh at Raj Niwas in Port Blair, Andaman Nicobar Islands.

Organic farming is highly favourable in north-eastern states and islands. Sikkim has been declared 100% organic state.

Singh said that his aim is to make Andaman Nicobar Islands an organic Island.  It is a favourable place for organic farming .  He said that Organic soybean occupies the top slot in organic exports with 70% followed by food grains and Bajra at 6% and chemical fertilizer at 5%.  Organic soybean occupies the top slot in organic exports with 70% followed by food grains and Bajra at 6% and chemical fertilizer at 5%.

The minister further said that ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI) Port Blair study of fertilizer and ecology has found acceptable limits of pesticides and most of the samples used for analysis were acceptable.

The authorities have been working to train employees and to implement a partnership guarantee model. Singh said that Organic markets are being developed through Local Marketing Programmes so that organic produce can be made available to household consumers. The Port Blair regional office of Coconut Development Board has been providing assistance for organic farming.

The Minister asserted that Organic farming should be promoted with the same spirit as Green Revolution. He said that the country should progress to be an organic nation and fulfill Prime Minister’s vision of being a chemical-free country. He urged all stakeholders to join hands to make this mission successful.