Need to promote Organic Farming in niche areas: Agriculture Minister

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Radha Mohan Singh said organic farming need to be promoted in niche areas. He was addressing the National Symposium on Organic Farming for Farmers’ Prosperity, organized by CRIDA and NIRD, Hyderabad on Sunday.

The minister said the organic farming mandates meeting the complete nutrient requirement of the crop only through permitting organic inputs and pest management by non-chemical methods.  However, in view of large requirements of food in terms of cereals, legumes, oil seed, fodder, fruit/vegetables, fiber etc. organic farming need be promoted in the niche areas.

Singh said that at present, it appears that the only strategy to sustain food production on a long term basis in the country is to adopt integrated nutrient management and integrated pest management to meet the ever growing demand for food, while organic farming practices can be adopted in isolated and niche areas to produce quality products and minimize the adverse effects on the environment.  Future organic farming need to be linked to market avenues and export of organic products.