Magnitude of organic farming has increased manifolds, says leading organic farming expert

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.