GUWAHATI, June 3 � A seminar on �Organic Production - Technology Development and Transfer for Promotion of Horticulture� was organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in association with National Horticulture Board (NHB) and supported by NABARD.
Addressing the seminar VK Pipersenia, Additional Chief Secretary and Agriculture Production Commissioner, Assam stressed the need for expanding and popularising organic farming.
�Knowledge-based farming is required for organic production and marketing in commercial scale along with self consumption. The Government of Assam has started a constituency-wise three-phase programme to generate awareness on organic farming in Assam. The government, NGOs, SHGs, industry organisations like ICC and allied agencies should work in tandem to make organic farming sustainable and forums like this seminar is a learning and ideas exchanging venues,� he said.
Madhuparana Bhowmick, Jt director and Head of Agri Division of Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) said that organic farming had emerged as a major thrust area in agriculture over the past few years throughout the globe.
�The North-east, with its tremendous collection of biotic resources, has till now not been able to realise the importance and the benefits of organic farming to its full potential. In view of the growing demand in the market for organic foods, there have been initiatives from various sectors including the Central and State governments to popularise organic farming,� he added.
AP Sandilya, Chief General Manager, Assam Regional Office, NABARD, gave the keynote address on the funding schemes of organic projects by NABARD. Ronn Pakrashi, chief coordinating officer, North East Mega Food Park Pvt Ltd deliberated on aspects of storage infrastructure, supply chain and marketing of produces.
Surendra Kumar Singh, Deputy Director, National Horticulture Board, made presentations on schemes of NHB.
The seminar was organised based on suggestions and recommendations at the B2B Meet of the 1st Assam International Agri-Horticultural Show 2014 organised by the Dept of Agriculture, Horticulture and Food Processing, Government of Assam, in association Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) early this year.
