Create awareness about export potential of organic products, says minister
Considering the growing demand for organic produce in the global markets, there is a pressing need to create awareness about export potential of organic products among farmers, said Minister of State for Agriculture Mohanbhai Kundariya. “The market for edible organic products in India is growing at 25-30%, but awareness about organic farming is still low despite huge spending. While the government is spending crores of rupees on its promotion, still majority of people are unaware about organic farming and its benefits,” he said. The Minister was speaking on Friday at a conference on ‘Organic World-Advantage India,’ organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in New Delhi. The Minister raised concern over the lack of awareness about organic farming in the country and urged the farming community to adopt organic practices so as to minimise the use of chemical fertiliser and pesticide and protect land, water resources and improve economic conditions. “Considering that potential of organic farming in India is very huge because of its immense bio-diversity and natural resources, we at the ministerial level are also taking various steps to promote organic farming and its practices in the country,” he said. The Minister also said that the country has a strong potential for growth and development of organic farming due to various factors like soil health deterioration, change in climate, decline in per-capita land availability and others. “India is capable of producing all types of organic products, dearth of suitable land for organic farming is proving to be a bane for its growth”, he added.
October 16, 2015 | 4:34pm IST.
to success.