Organic gathers critical mass

A fortnight ago, Haribhau Landge was yet another debt-ridden, despondent marginal farmer from Ahmednagar. Then he chanced to attend a Sankal...

A fortnight ago, Haribhau Landge was yet another debt-ridden, despondent marginal farmer from Ahmednagar. Then he chanced to attend a Sankalp Yatra organised by state agriculture minister Govindrao Adik. Those few hours, he says, changed his outlook and probably his whole life.

The secret: Organic farming, which is slowly losing its exclusivity to emerge as the new buzzword in moffusil circles of the state. ‘‘I think it’s a good idea,’’ says Langde of the farming method that cuts out tensions over fertiliser prices and failed crops. ‘‘The minister told us how we can do it. They are starting training centres in every district, that’ll be a great help.’’

The main aim of the state programme, says Adik, is to discourage use of chemicals and produce healthier crops. ‘‘Farmers are pushed into debt because of the failure of rains and subsequent crop failures. Organic farming will help reduce input costs and help them adapt to delayed rain situations,’’ says the minister.

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The Democratic Front government plans to bring at least 100,000 hectares of land under organic cultivation in the state under its low cost-no credit scheme of farming. It wants to set up 1000 groups of 100 farmers each to cultivate 100 hectares of land. With an initial outlay of Rs 2 crore, it will set up training centres to disseminate knowledge, provide first-hand experience, educate farmers on bio-fertilisers, assist in marketing, ease the certification problems and provide an interface with involved NGOs.

‘‘The programme could be scaled up to cover 20 lakh hectares at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore. Since the process of conversion from inorganic to organic farming is gradual, the actual coverage will depend on the initial response of the farmers to the new concept,’’ says Adik.

Farmers like Landge will be helped by the Panchayat Raj institutions in their villages. To ensure that the programme reaches the maximum number of farmers, village level institutions will be roped in.

Vermiculture, yet another traditional resource that has been rediscovered, is also being promoted in a big way in the state. About 1000 vermiculture centres will be set up through private participation at a cost sharing of 25 per cent from the state. Each village will have at least one vermi-compost pit, encouraging farmers to use this form of manure for cultivation.