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NE has immense potential in organic farming: Experts

By Sobhapati Samom

IMPHAL, April 5 - North Eastern States, specially Manipur, where comparatively very little synthetic fertilisers and pesticides are used for agriculture, have immense potential for organic farming, agriculture experts have opined.

But owing to lack of awareness about organic food, its certification and marketing, the region which can carve a niche in the organic foods market, is yet to come forward.

The region has the potential to achieve a lot in organic food market across the globe, besides improving the socio-economic condition of the people. This was stated by agriculture experts during a skill development training programme on organic farming organised by CSIR Branch laboratory, North East Institute of Science & Technology, here recently.

Stating that the soils of NE region are usually rich in organic matter, Dr DS Yadav of Regional Centre of Organic Farming, Lamphelpat, said, �The organic C content in the soil of the region is 1.2 per cent, which is much higher than 0.25 per cent in other parts of the country.� The the Central Government has plans to take up organic farming in the region in a big way, Dr Yadav added.

The official of Regional Centre of Organic Farming informed that 28 certification agencies will be providing organic certificates to the farmers here after three years of practice.

According to reports, NE region, where agricultural production is predominantly organic, could be instrumental in increasing India�s agricultural export to at least 1 per cent immediately as India�s share in the global organic food market is just about 0.18 per cent and there is a vast potential to make the country a major player in the emerging agricultural export market.

Senior Scientist Dr V Pandey of the institute shared certain methodologies of production and use of bio-fertilisers for successful organic farming in the region.

Prospective farmers numbering around 40 took part in the training programme which was inaugurated by Chief Conservator of Forest Dr Lokho Puni.

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