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Maharashtra leads in organic farming, though farmers are facing difficulties
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Saturday, 26 December, 2009, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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Maharashtra is leading in organic farming despite the fact that most organic farmers in the country face trouble in practicing the chemical-free method. This is because the farmers in the state have done more research on this method than the agricultural universities. According to a report in The Economic Times from Pune, organic farming gained momentum in the state in the past five-six years. Despite this, the enterprising farmers in the state are facing difficulties.
The high fees charged by organic certification agencies and their lack of standardisation are major obstacles. The certification by an independent agency is necessary for consumers to find out if the food is organic. The Agriculture and Processed Food Development Agency (Apeda) has approved some certification agencies in the country. The certification fees range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 60,000 from agency to agency. This discourages a farmer from getting his field certified. However, certification is essential for exports.
The other major hurdle faced by the farmers is marketing the food. Though there is growing urban population willing to pay higher prices for organic food, it becomes difficult to find such providers. The transport and packaging costs are huge.
Though practitioners of organic farming have already demonstrated that production does not decline due to such hurdles, the agriculture universities and the state agriculture department are still not convinced if such farming can meet the requirement of the growing demand. “Using earth worms and cow dung is not organic farming. And those who don’t follow all the principles do not get its full benefits.
Also, the Maharashtra government is yet to approve the draft organic farming policy prepared two years ago by the Prof. Rajaram Deshmukh Committee. Organic farmers want the government to create a website to bring together growers and buyers, provide transport subsidy and space for packaging in the cities. The farmers also hope that the promise made by the state agriculture minister Balasaheb Thorat at the recently held Mahaorganic festival to approve the organic policy within the next three months will soon be realised, according to the report.
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