Skill development training program on organic farming organised by CSIR

Lamphelpat, March 22: The North Eastern states Manipur in particular, where comparatively very less amount of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are used for agriculture, has immense potential for organic farming, Agriculture experts reiterated.

But to lack of awareness about organic food, its certification and marketing of the produce, the region which has the enough potential to carve a niche in the organic foods market, is still yet to come forward.

Otherwise the region will achieve a lot in organic food market across the globe not to speak of improving the socio-economy condition of the people. This was conveyed by Agriculture experts during a day long skill development training program on organic farming organized by CSIR: North East Institute of Science & Technology, Branch laboratory, here on Saturday.

Stating that the soils of the NE region are usually rich in organic matter, Dr DS Yadav of Regional Centre of Organic Farming, Lamphelpat while sharing prospects of organic farming, said, “The organic contain in the soil of the region is 1.2 percent which is much higher than that of .25 percent in other parts of the country.”

Thus the central authority plans to take up organic farming in the region in a big way as it will be a difficult task to sustain if the ongoing way of (inorganic) farming continues in the next 70 years or so, Dr Yadav added. “So we’re promoting the organic farming as you have everything here.”

The official of Regional Centre of Organic Farming also informed that 28 certification agencies will be providing organic certificates to the farmers after three years of practice.

According to reports, the NE region, where agricultural production is predominantly organic, could be instrumental in increasing India’s agricultural export to at least 1% immediately as India’s share in the global organic food market is just about 0.18% and there is a vast potential to make the country a major player in the emerging agricultural export market.

Sharing a similar sentiment, Senior Scientist Dr V Pandey of the same institute also shared certain methodologies of production and use of bio-fertilisers for a success organic farming in the region.

Prospective farmers numbering around 40 took part in the day’s training programme which was formally inaugurated by Chief Conservator of Forest Dr Lokho Puni of state forest department and it was attended by All Manipur Trained Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Promoters Consortium P Devkanta as guest of honour. Highlighting the importance organic farming and objective of holding the day’s training program, Scientist in charge of CSIR: North East Institute of Science & Technology, Branch laboratory Dr H Birkumar sought cooperation from the participating farmers in making Manipur an organic state.