Veena Annadana
Well-Known Member
Assocham unveils roadmap to convert WB into organic state by 2015
Source: IRIS (09-DEC-11)
Assocham has offered its co-operation to promote organic farming in West Bengal which according to a study undertaken by the apex industry body can lead to wealth accumulation of Rs 120 billion, generate exports worth Rs 5.5 billion and create nearly 20 lakh employment opportunities during the course of next five years. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) study titled `Organic West Bengal: Ushering New Era of Prosperity` was released by Arup Roy, agriculture marketing minister, Government of West Bengal along with D.S. Rawat, national secretary general of Assocham and Debmalya Banerjee, co-chairman, Eastern Regional Council here in Kolkata today. Over six lakh additional jobs can also be generated if farm storing, processing, value addition, packaging and marketing facilities are included, considering organic farms provide more than 30% more jobs per hectare as against non-organic farms.
``Adoption of organic farming can increase net per capita income of a farmer in the state by a whopping 250% to over Rs 15,680 per month in next five years thereby, arresting the migration of people from West Bengal to other states in search of jobs,`` according to the Assocham study. At least 35% of cultivable land can be converted into organic farms, in next five years, thereby converting seven% cultivable land annually into organic farming.
``The state government must emphasize on organic farming in their agriculture policy to overcome constraints like unproductive plantation, low crop productivity, poor crop management, high degree of pests and diseases,`` said Rawat. ``It is imperative to adopt modern practices, technologies and scientific management in agri sector.``
Considering rising health consciousness and growing awareness among people, the demand for organic food products is likely to increase rapidly, thus Assocham calls for setting up organic farming clusters across the state. West Bengal can attain the top spot in organic farming among competing states by focusing on potential crops in a phased manner and cash in on organic aquaculture (pisciculture) by raising fish seeds organically for earning higher export revenues. Growing at a robust annual growth rate of over five billion dollars, the global organic market currently stands at around 65 billion dollars. Growing at a steady annual rate of about 40%, organic farming in India is likely to be worth Rs 100 billion by 2015 from current levels of about Rs 25 billion. Nearly 4.5 million hectares area is currently under certified organic farms, points out the Assocham study. Certified organic products including all varieties of food products namely basmati rice, pulses, honey, tea, spices, coffee, oil seeds, fruits, processed food, cereals, herbal medicines and their value added products are produced in India. Apart from edible sector, organic cotton fiber, garments, cosmetics, functional food products and body care products are also produced.
Although, organic farming is picking up pace in India but the sector has been jostling with lack of awareness, knowledge and confidence about organic farming, food products among both farmers and consumers. Organic agriculture should be recognised and integrated in main policies of the central government like those on agriculture, food, health and environment. This will ensure that all needs of organic sector are properly addressed and considered in government programmes and budgetary allocations, says Assocham. Considering the questions being raised on quality of Chinese organic products, more emphasis must be laid on maintaining quality control while promoting exports of domestically produced organic products, says the chamber. Assocham has proposed formation of a national commission for organic agriculture with participation of all stakeholders including private sector. Besides, an organic food council can also be set up to institutionalize policy dialogue between the government and the organic sector.
Highlighting the role of West Bengal government, the study says that mapping the status of organic farming and certification along with agro-climatic zones must be carried out to tap the potential of organic crops and understand micro level production potential. Interventions must be carried out to raise production levels. The area under crops may be increased through cluster approach to generate marketable surplus and provide economy of scale in marketing the production. Regional action plans should be developed for organic farming stating direction and target for adoption and combination of specific measures including direct income support, marketing and processing support, certification support, consumer education and infrastructure support, says the study. The state government should promote a concept to set up an organic village in each district to encourage usage of organic fertilizers to protect land from residual affect of chemical fertilizers, suggests Assocham. A niche market of organic products be developed to exploit advantage and tap the potential of organic farming. This will help strengthen domestic market and support export of organic food. Organic certification is imperative for adding value to default organic system and enable farms to explore domestic and export markets for fetching better prices.
Assocham suggests formation of a state organic institution for training, certification, production, packaging, processing and marketing through PPP model for setting up a value chain and consultations especially with bodies like Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Many recommendations on organic certification are also mentioned in the study. To further facilitate expansion of organic farming sector and to increase its production capacity, information related to new technologies must be imparted to farmers, says Assocham. State government must provide rural credit through co-operatives, commercial, regional rural banks thereby playing a proactive role in providing institutional credit to enhance adoption of organic farming in the state.
Assocham will work along with farmers to promote organic farming at different levels by adopting potential clusters and will convert them into organic farms. The chamber will organize development programmes to nurture entrepreneurial skills of farmers and will help linking them with certification agencies, markets both domestic and international. Assocham also plans to organize product fairs and buyer-seller meetings to enable farmers to get premium pricing for their produce.
Source: http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/storyShow.php?fileR=20111209171259200&dir=2011/12/09
Source: IRIS (09-DEC-11)
Assocham has offered its co-operation to promote organic farming in West Bengal which according to a study undertaken by the apex industry body can lead to wealth accumulation of Rs 120 billion, generate exports worth Rs 5.5 billion and create nearly 20 lakh employment opportunities during the course of next five years. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) study titled `Organic West Bengal: Ushering New Era of Prosperity` was released by Arup Roy, agriculture marketing minister, Government of West Bengal along with D.S. Rawat, national secretary general of Assocham and Debmalya Banerjee, co-chairman, Eastern Regional Council here in Kolkata today. Over six lakh additional jobs can also be generated if farm storing, processing, value addition, packaging and marketing facilities are included, considering organic farms provide more than 30% more jobs per hectare as against non-organic farms.
``Adoption of organic farming can increase net per capita income of a farmer in the state by a whopping 250% to over Rs 15,680 per month in next five years thereby, arresting the migration of people from West Bengal to other states in search of jobs,`` according to the Assocham study. At least 35% of cultivable land can be converted into organic farms, in next five years, thereby converting seven% cultivable land annually into organic farming.
``The state government must emphasize on organic farming in their agriculture policy to overcome constraints like unproductive plantation, low crop productivity, poor crop management, high degree of pests and diseases,`` said Rawat. ``It is imperative to adopt modern practices, technologies and scientific management in agri sector.``
Considering rising health consciousness and growing awareness among people, the demand for organic food products is likely to increase rapidly, thus Assocham calls for setting up organic farming clusters across the state. West Bengal can attain the top spot in organic farming among competing states by focusing on potential crops in a phased manner and cash in on organic aquaculture (pisciculture) by raising fish seeds organically for earning higher export revenues. Growing at a robust annual growth rate of over five billion dollars, the global organic market currently stands at around 65 billion dollars. Growing at a steady annual rate of about 40%, organic farming in India is likely to be worth Rs 100 billion by 2015 from current levels of about Rs 25 billion. Nearly 4.5 million hectares area is currently under certified organic farms, points out the Assocham study. Certified organic products including all varieties of food products namely basmati rice, pulses, honey, tea, spices, coffee, oil seeds, fruits, processed food, cereals, herbal medicines and their value added products are produced in India. Apart from edible sector, organic cotton fiber, garments, cosmetics, functional food products and body care products are also produced.
Although, organic farming is picking up pace in India but the sector has been jostling with lack of awareness, knowledge and confidence about organic farming, food products among both farmers and consumers. Organic agriculture should be recognised and integrated in main policies of the central government like those on agriculture, food, health and environment. This will ensure that all needs of organic sector are properly addressed and considered in government programmes and budgetary allocations, says Assocham. Considering the questions being raised on quality of Chinese organic products, more emphasis must be laid on maintaining quality control while promoting exports of domestically produced organic products, says the chamber. Assocham has proposed formation of a national commission for organic agriculture with participation of all stakeholders including private sector. Besides, an organic food council can also be set up to institutionalize policy dialogue between the government and the organic sector.
Highlighting the role of West Bengal government, the study says that mapping the status of organic farming and certification along with agro-climatic zones must be carried out to tap the potential of organic crops and understand micro level production potential. Interventions must be carried out to raise production levels. The area under crops may be increased through cluster approach to generate marketable surplus and provide economy of scale in marketing the production. Regional action plans should be developed for organic farming stating direction and target for adoption and combination of specific measures including direct income support, marketing and processing support, certification support, consumer education and infrastructure support, says the study. The state government should promote a concept to set up an organic village in each district to encourage usage of organic fertilizers to protect land from residual affect of chemical fertilizers, suggests Assocham. A niche market of organic products be developed to exploit advantage and tap the potential of organic farming. This will help strengthen domestic market and support export of organic food. Organic certification is imperative for adding value to default organic system and enable farms to explore domestic and export markets for fetching better prices.
Assocham suggests formation of a state organic institution for training, certification, production, packaging, processing and marketing through PPP model for setting up a value chain and consultations especially with bodies like Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Many recommendations on organic certification are also mentioned in the study. To further facilitate expansion of organic farming sector and to increase its production capacity, information related to new technologies must be imparted to farmers, says Assocham. State government must provide rural credit through co-operatives, commercial, regional rural banks thereby playing a proactive role in providing institutional credit to enhance adoption of organic farming in the state.
Assocham will work along with farmers to promote organic farming at different levels by adopting potential clusters and will convert them into organic farms. The chamber will organize development programmes to nurture entrepreneurial skills of farmers and will help linking them with certification agencies, markets both domestic and international. Assocham also plans to organize product fairs and buyer-seller meetings to enable farmers to get premium pricing for their produce.
Source: http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/storyShow.php?fileR=20111209171259200&dir=2011/12/09