November 29, 2001

'27'

NATIONAL BOARD FOR ORGANIC FARMING MOOTED

        The Task Force on Organic Farming has recommended the setting up of a national level permanent board to oversee the promotion of organic farming in the country and to coordinate this activity with all concerned union ministries, national level bodies, state governments, research institutions, universities and others. In its report which was submitted to the Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Ajit Singh here today, the Task force has also recommended that leaders of the government should propagate the concept of organic farming as a sustainable and better alternative for creation of a favourable environment in its support.

The other recommendations include:

1. Economic value of chemical fertilisers and organic manures may be equated in terms of their over all effect on soil productivity, crop production and then Government may provide support accordingly
2. Bio-gas plants need to be popularised to have the dual benefit of gas for lighting and manure for crops
3. Each Kishan Vikash Kendra may set up a vermi compost unit and a biological unit for demonstration and dissemination of the techniques
4. The organic markets for supply and purchase of inputs and outputs for organic farming may be developed
5. Adequate number of certification agencies may be identified and registered/ recognised. The certification agencies may be financed by the Government to carry out free certification for the farmers for intended export of organic products

        The Task Force in its report has said that in the areas of high production the shifting of organic farming system may result in loss of produce in the initial years and therefore farmers need to be compensated for initial 2-3 years. It has also suggested that all the state governments may be advised to consider experimentation and demonstrations on government farms on 50:50 area basis on organic farming and other forms of farming. It has suggested that the ventures of vermi compost, compost, press mud and other forms of generation of organic nutrients for crop production may be exempted from levy of all kinds of taxes.

        The committee has recommended that a Mission Mode Approach should be initiated for organic farming by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation which should cover research and education, extension of technology of organic farming, processing of organic produce for local marketing and exports and certification of organic products.

        Accepting the report, Shri Ajit Singh directed officials of his ministry to take up a pilot project for organic farming. The Minister was informed that allocation of Rs.100 crore for organic farming is being finalized during the Tenth Plan. The Minister of State For agriculture, Shri Hukumdeo Yadav who was present, said that scientific community should help farmers in preparing better organic fertilisers. He also suggested that incentives for production and use of organic fertilisers should be given.

        The Task Force, constituted sometime last year, started functioning from October 2000. It’s terms of reference included:

        The Task Force received suggestions from experts of several institutions, NGOs. The Committee also undertook visits of different states and institutions to study organic farming and to interact with scientists and experts. It also took into account organic farming standards set up by the Ministry of Commerce and the available certification system for organic farming in the country.

        The Chairman of the task force was Dr. Kunwarji Bhai Jadav and the members were S/Sh. Kharabela Swain, MP(Lok Sabha), Sangh Priya Gautam, MP (Rajya Sabha), , T.G. Kutty Menon, G. Narsimha Raju Yadav, Ajit Grewal, Dr. S.C. Vyas, Dr. Panjab Singh, Director General, ICAR, Hemendra Kumar, Special Secretary, P.D. Sudhakar and Satish Chander, Joint Secretaries in the Ministry, Dr.C.R.Hazra, Agriculture commissioner and Dr. M.R. Motsara, Additional Commissioner in the Ministry of Agriculture.