Success story clears farmers' doubts on organic farming
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 23 2024: Farmers, initially skeptical about the productivity of organic farming compared to conventional farming methods using chemical fertilisers, are now ready to embrace organic cultivation after witnessing successful results showcased by The Green Foundation.

As part of the foundation's first phase project to promote organic farming and facilitate organic certification, organic farming was undertaken in several areas of Imphal West district, including Konthoujam and Kangmong.

An official team of Green Foundation led by its chief executive officer (CEO), U Himmat, advisor Dr M Thoithoi and Regional Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (RCONF), Imphal deputy director Dr VY Deoghare recently visited the farms where the project was taken up.

During the visit, the foundation's team provided a comprehensive assessment of the organic farming initiatives.

Dr Deoghare highlighted that RCONF is implementing an organic certification program under the Participatory Guarantee System for India (PGS-I) .

This system ensures that organic certification is accessible to farmers through a simplified process and affordable fees.

Products certified under this system can be marketed across the country as genuine organic produce.

Speaking on the challenges faced by the project, CEO Himmat explained that farmers were initially hesitant to transition from conventional farming practices reliant on chemical fertilisers to organic methods.

Their primary concern was whether productivity levels could match those of conventional farming.

To address these concerns, The Green Foundation assured farmers of compensation in case of lower productivity and incorporated them into the project.

The success of the initiative has cleared these doubts, and the farmers are now satisfied with the results, Himmat said.

He added that the foundation plans to encourage farmers to expand organic farming beyond paddy to include other crops and vegetables throughout the year while facilitating organic certification for their produce.

Advisor Dr M Thoithoi expressed confidence in organic farming, stating that it is superior to conventional farming in terms of both producing healthier food and maintaining productivity levels.

He expressed hope that the success stories from the participating farmers would inspire others across the state to shift to organic farming in the coming years.

The project marks a significant step in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the state, offering a viable alternative to chemical-dependent farming while enhancing the quality of produce and ensuring economic stability for farmers.

Comment