Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 14: Organic farming has the potential to generate over 80 lakh jobs in J&K during the course of next five years.
This was disclosed by DS Rawat, National Secretary General, Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) during a press conference here today. He was accompanied by OS Tyagi, senior director.
He said that promotion of organic farming will lead to wealth accumulation worth over Rs 10,600 crore and generate exports worth Rs 600 crore in J&K economy during the course of next five years.
“Adoption of organic farming will increase net per capita income of a farmer in the State by a whopping 250 per cent to over Rs 17,625 in next five years from a meager Rs 7,050 currently”, said DS Rawat.
Farmers in the districts of Kathua, Kupwara, Leh, Poonch, Pulwama, Rajouri, Srinagar, Udhampur, Samba and Reasi practice organic farming due to little or no use of chemicals thereby making most of the area organic by default. Besides, favorable agro-climatic conditions and availability of rich natural resources are other added factors in this regard, Rawat informed.
ASSOCHAM has suggested that organic agriculture be recognised and integrated in main policies of the Central Government, he said, adding that this will cater all needs of organic sector properly.
He added that the ASSOCHAM has also proposed formation of a National Commission for Organic Agriculture with participation of all stakeholders including private sector. Besides, an Organic Food Council will also be set up to institutionalize policy dialogue between the Government and the organic sector.
ASSOCHAM has also proposed formation of an institute for training, certification, production, packaging, processing and marketing organic products and also plans to organise product fairs and buyer-seller meetings to enable farmers to get premium pricing for their produce, Rawat said.
On the occasion, DS Rawat along with OS Tyagi also released the chamber’s study.
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