Veena Annadana
Well-Known Member
PANAJI: Though organic food is considered healthier and despite the fact that Goan farmers predominantly grow crops using less chemicals, the state government has not put in place an agriculture policy to exploit the advantage and tap the potential, feels experts in the field.
Around 33% of Goa's area is covered by forests and 39% is cultivable land. Goan farmers rely on organic enrichment of soil to raise their crops and considering the state's small size, implementation of schemes to promote organic food is easier, they say.
This could be beneficial at several levels, says Yogita Mehra, of Green Essentials. "At the consumer level, organic food being free of chemicals or pesticides is healthier. At the farmer's level, organic food farming reduces poisoning of the soil and air on which agriculture entirely depends," she said.
Satish Tendulkar, director, department of agriculture, government of Goa, agrees, "Most of Goa's agricultural produce accounts for very low use of chemical fertilizers. Farmers are encouraged to use organic methods of production of crops as much as possible," he said.
Stressing that the government needs to promote healthier food, experts feel that it is not difficult to boost organic farming. "But a subversive market model should be adopted if the policy needs to be implemented and for organic farming to sustain in the long run," stated Miguel Braganza of Organic Farming Association of India .
The state's position as a tourist destination also offers potential to promote organic farming. "If Goa is declared an organic state like Sikkim, it will add more value to the state itself," Mehra said.
Awareness about benefits of organic food is not lacking in the state. But most agree about a need to increase the food supply by introducing farmers to techniques requiring less pesticides and chemicals. The government does provide assistance and incentives to farmers who opt to convert from traditional farming techniques to organic food production, but it needs to be intensified
Source: 'Organic farming could boost the state's image' - Times Of India
Around 33% of Goa's area is covered by forests and 39% is cultivable land. Goan farmers rely on organic enrichment of soil to raise their crops and considering the state's small size, implementation of schemes to promote organic food is easier, they say.
This could be beneficial at several levels, says Yogita Mehra, of Green Essentials. "At the consumer level, organic food being free of chemicals or pesticides is healthier. At the farmer's level, organic food farming reduces poisoning of the soil and air on which agriculture entirely depends," she said.
Satish Tendulkar, director, department of agriculture, government of Goa, agrees, "Most of Goa's agricultural produce accounts for very low use of chemical fertilizers. Farmers are encouraged to use organic methods of production of crops as much as possible," he said.
Stressing that the government needs to promote healthier food, experts feel that it is not difficult to boost organic farming. "But a subversive market model should be adopted if the policy needs to be implemented and for organic farming to sustain in the long run," stated Miguel Braganza of Organic Farming Association of India .
The state's position as a tourist destination also offers potential to promote organic farming. "If Goa is declared an organic state like Sikkim, it will add more value to the state itself," Mehra said.
Awareness about benefits of organic food is not lacking in the state. But most agree about a need to increase the food supply by introducing farmers to techniques requiring less pesticides and chemicals. The government does provide assistance and incentives to farmers who opt to convert from traditional farming techniques to organic food production, but it needs to be intensified
Source: 'Organic farming could boost the state's image' - Times Of India