Krishan Chandra is
the Director of Ghaziabad-based National Centre of Organic Farming, a part of
the Ministry of Agriculture which works to boost organic farming in the
country. In an exclusive interview Chandra
shares the scope of organic farming. Excerpts from the Interview:
Manish
Kumar
1:
What is the current magnitude of organic farming in the country?
Chandra: It has registered a
growth of 30 per cent while there had been an appreciable growth on this front
in the last two years. 10 years ago we had only 40,000 hectare certified
organic farming land in the country which had now escalated to 15 million
hectare. But there also some parts of uncertified lands where organic farming
is done. Moreover our new portal has also received latest data of additional 2
lakh hectares of land where this farming is done.
2:
Which are the states setting examples for others in organic farming?
Chandra: Some states like Madhya
Pradesh which has inherent large forest areas have shown other states a way on
how to go ahead with organic farming. Other well performing states
include-Chattisgarh and Jharkhand which are faring well in this kind of
pro-nature farming where more lands are now coming under organic farming.
3:
How much potential you see in Orissa for organic farming?
Chandra: There is a good scope
for organic farming in Orissa. There are some forest areas in Kalahandi and
Phulwani districts of Orissa where traditional organic farming is practiced by
the farmers for growing turmeric and ginger for the last 8-10 years with the
support of the government. Also, they have a good marketing network there.
4:
Your organization also has a branch in Orissa. How you are helping the state in
boosting the farming in Orissa?
Chandra: We have been helping by
creating awareness among farmers, training them for the same and empowering
them with the required information on this front. Recently Traditional Farming
Improvement Programme has been launched where our office in Orissa will form
soon clusters of 50 farmers each under the scheme. The government will
give Rs 15 lakh to each cluster for input costs, training, branding and other
areas to give an impetus to organic farming in Orissa. Funds for the same for
Orissa have already been released.
5:
What is the role of the state government in this?
Chandra: In the Traditional
Farming Improvement Programme, the powers of choosing the clusters and
beneficiaries and other important portfolios are given to the state government.
We will be providing the technical support to the scheme to make it a success.
6:
How much support you receive from Orissa government for boosting organic
farming in the state?
Chandra: Some of our programmes
often suffer due to changes of officials working from their side on this front.
There should be a dedicated team of state government officials to work on
boosting organic farming in the state. Also, the state still lacks a policy on organic
farming which is hampering its prospects. Most of the states who have fared
well in this sector have clear cut polices on organic farming.
7:
How farmers can improve their productivity and selling prices?
Chandra: There are many farmers
in Orissa who have not got their lands certified for organic farming which has
deprived them of government assistance. If they get it certified by our office,
which is free of cost they will be linked with us which will ensure
them a minimum price for their produce, training and a one-stop information
centre for all issues relating to organic farming. A single portal (http://pgsindia-ncof.gov.in/)
could help these farmers for all kinds of government assistance.