India - New legislation for organic farming

[OrganicABC]

India - New legislation for organic farming24 Dec 2009
State agriculture minister Balasaheb Thorat said that the state's organic farming policy will be drafted in three months time.

The state currently has about 6.5 lakh hectares of land under organic farming, which the government is planning to increase up to 20 lakh hectares in next five years.
Thorat was speaking with the reporters following a programme at Mahaorganic exhibition in the city on Sunday. State Co-operation and Marketing minister Harshvardhan Patil shared the dais.
"Experts are working on the draft. We expect to complete the work in three months," Thorat said. Highlighting the objective of the policy, he said, "the agriculture department intends to bring more and more land under organic farming. It is a low-cost option so monetary benefits for farmers are greater."
"Earlier, chemical-based farming was promoted due to shortage of food. Though food security was achieved, excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides proved hazardous to common man's health," Thorat said, adding, "organic farming is good for soil as well as human health. So the number of farmers following this type of agriculture should increase."
Thorat, however, insisted that a policy won't suffice and demanded funding for implementing the policy. "I am in talks with the chief minister for funds. Our ministry has demanded Rs Rs 100 crore for implementing the policy. Discussions are also on to create a special board for organic farming."
Echoing Thorat's views, Harshvardhan Patil said that joint efforts are needed to promote organic farming, "If good agriculture produce is available, it should be marketed properly as well. Joint efforts by marketing ministry and agriculture ministry will make a difference."
Patil declared that a special centre for organic farm produce will be established in Agriculture Market Produce Committee in Pune (APMC). The centre will be inaugurated in the first week on January



Source: hindu.com