1. 30,000 ha to come under organic farming in Kerala
The Hindu Business Line
2. Indian State of Sikkim’s Farms to be Entirely Organic by 2015
Treehugger, by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY
30,000 ha to come under organic farming in Kerala
The Hindu Business Line
New policy envisages decentralised storage facilities.
Policy highlights
Envisages converting all crops into organic farming mode over the next ten years in a phased and compact manner.
Advocates adopting a compact area group approach
Every local self-government institution will develop model organic farms in select farmers’ fields.
The Kerala organic farming policy, which was officially announced by the Chief Minister, Mr. V.S. Achuthanandan, here on Monday, aims at launching organic farming over 30,000 hectares in the first phase.
The action plan of the policy envisages converting all crops into organic farming mode over the next 10 years in a phased and compact manner.
The policy advocates adopting a compact area group approach in organic farming by encouraging formation of organic farmers groups, clubs, self-help groups and cooperatives for the purpose of cultivation, input production, certification and marketing.
There is need for ensuring organic farming approach in all the watershed development areas and extend support, including capacity building and financial assistance, for soil and water conservation measures through ongoing programmes.
Farm-lab tie-up
The Kerala Agriculture University and other research institutions should develop suitable crop combinations and locally suitable technology through participatory research with the farmers.
The policy calls for ensuring the availability of biomass in the organic farm itself, through programmes such as crop rotation, tree crops, cover crops, leguminous crops and green manure.
Also, support of cow, buffalo, duck, poultry and goat, preferably traditional breeds, should be provided to the organic farmers to ensure the availability farmyard manure.
Every local self-government institution will develop model organic farms in select farmers’ fields. Research stations in each agro-ecological zone under the Kerala Agriculture University and other institutions should be converted into organic management systems and thus become a field study centre for students, farmers and peoples’ representatives.
Separate and decentralised storage facilities for farm produces have to be established to protect their organic integrity and help the farmers in certification processes.
The arrangement has to be followed in the case of transportation of organic produces to nearby domestic markets.
The policy also underlines the need for providing interest-free loans to organic farmers, especially small and marginal farmers. Credits linked to banks will be subsidised through Central or State Government.
A State-led insurance scheme for small and marginal farmers may also be introduced.
Indian State of Sikkim’s Farms to be Entirely Organic by 2015
Treehugger, by Matthew McDermott, New York, NY
Nestled in between Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan the small Indian state of Sikkim is probably best known for its mountainous beauty and as being home to the red panda, but by 2015 it’s going to have another notable distinction: Converting all its farms to certified organic agriculture.
The Economic Times reports that the state has been slowing use of chemical fertilizer since 2003 and has currently converted 6,000 of its 70,000 hectares of farm land.
Human Health, Environment, Tourism All Hoped to Benefit
Initially the chemical phase-out was done because of the effects on soil, water and human health, but the state also hopes going organic will boost its tourist economy. “Village tourism in Sikkim will obviously improve. Homestays will become more popular,” according to the general secretary of the the state travel agents association.
From a policy angle, the phase-out began with the ending of a government subsidy on chemical fertilizers, then three years later retail commission subsidies were also withdrawn and a seven-year plan adopted for entirely ending their use.
