In
continuation to our earlier post (here)
about Sikkim, this is set to be organic state by 2015. Some of the state
governments are working in the same direction and preparing road map for
implementing organic farming by taking Sikkim as a successful model.
As
per the new article reported (here),
Kerala is now planning to follow
the same model in Kasaragod
district as a pilot project, and has taken the technical assistance of the Sikkim
Organic Mission to kick-start the project.The draft guidelines are under
discussion & approval stage. These guidelines have details of crops, usage
of manure and organic pesticides etc.
Why kesaragod district is chosen for
pilot project?
Senior
agriculture officials said that, Kasaragod was chosen as a sort of redemption
from the abuse of endosulfan
that brought misery to its people. Around 500 people lost lives due to
excessive use of the pesticide in the cashew plantations in Kasaragod in the past
20 years.
How the pilot project is
going to implemented?
Senior
official of agriculture department informed that, five gram panchayats in
Kasaragod district would be selected for the project initially. There are thirty eight gram
panchayats in Kasaragod district. The farmers will be given training and
expertise in organic farming methods. The state will also assist farmers in
marketing these organic products, so that they will not incur losses after
shifting to organic farming.The
department will also allocate Rs 4 crore to set up animal husbandry farms in
the district as part of the project. "This is done to ensure enough manure
for the farms that have switched over to organic farming.
What will be the future of genetically-
modified crops in the state?
As agriculture is a state
subject, it is the prerogative of the state governments to decide whether to
adopt GM seeds or not in their commercial production. Agriculture minister K P
Mohanan said that, the by seeing scientific studies establishment on GM Crops,
state has decided to ban the production & commercialization of
genetically-modified crops.
Senior
officials from the agriculture
department said that Sikkim being a small state, it was easy to
implement the organic farming initiative there.Kerala has a greater challenge,
as it has to feed a larger population, but it is possible to switch over to
organic farming as it has huge health benefits, which are far greater than the
initial hardships.
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