Dy CM bats for organic farming
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 09 2016:
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has said that organic farming can be a preferable model for the development of the State as it offers multiple benefits like economic development, natural resource conservation and healthier population.
He was speaking at the chief guest of the opening function of one-day National workshop on Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) organised by State Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department at the conference hall of Classic Grande today.
The Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the Horticulture portfolio, said that there is growing demand for organic foods worldwide because of the quality and safety of these foods.
Having understood the health benefits of organic foods, the consumers are willing to pay more, he said and added that nature has gifted Manipur with tremendous potential for practising organic farming due to diverse agro-climatic regions across the State.
He said that export oriented horticulture crops like ginger, turmeric, chilli (U Morok), lemon, orange passion fruit, kiwi, pineapple and other vegetables can be brought under organic cultivation.
Gaikhangam said that of the total 22,23,270 hectares of geographical area of the State, 90 per cent is hilly where major fruits, vegetables, spices and pulses are cultivated and the remaining 10 per cent is valley which acts as the rice bowl of the State.
"We have 2,77,064 hectares of potential areas for horticulture crops and only 35 per cent of the said area has been covered till date.
Still a vast area of about 1,80,000 hectares is yet to be exploited", he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also urged the agriculture scientists working both at the Centre and State to collaborate and facilitate replacement of the Green Revolution by Organic Revolution in order to regain the lost goodness of traditional farming.
Chief Secretary O Nabakishore, Joint Secretary (Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India) Rani Kumdini, ICAR Manipur Centre Joint Director Dr N Prakash and CAU's College of Agriculture Dean Prof JM Laishram also attended the function as dignitaries.
Rani Kumdini said that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 400 crore for North East States including Rs 11 crore for Manipur under the scheme, 'Organic Value Chain Development in North Eastern Region'.
She said that all the North East States except Assam have huge potential for large scale organic farming.
In his speech, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore stressed on the need for proper utilization of the amount sanctioned under Organic Value Chain Development in North Eastern Region.
He also mentioned about the importance of imparting awareness on organic farming to farmers.
Organic farming under PKVY, role of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides in organic farming and status of PKVY scheme in North East States were discussed at the technical session of the workshop.
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