India: Uttarakhand with a law for organic

The government of  the North Indian state Uttarakhand will soon bring in a law to  give organic farming a legal backing, writes the Hindustan Times. The reason is a big demand for organic products in the domestic and foreign markets.

The government has been drafted the Organic Agriculture Bill recently. Vinay Kumar, managing director, Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board informed that the draft bill has been formulated on the basis of the experts’ opinions to the government. „It is being analysed and is likely to be tabled in the assembly soon for approval,” said Vinay Kumar. “Once enacted, the proposed organic agriculture law will provide a legal backing to organic farming ensuring local farmers high returns for their organic produce“, heis quoted. Another effect is expected: Due to the higher prices for organic products the migration from the countryside tot he cities could be curbed.

Registeration of all activities will avoid fraud

It is plannd that transactions and activities pertaining to the organic agriculture will be organised and also „all agencies that purchase organic agricultural or horticultural crops from the local farmers before marketing them will have to duly register” with the state government. “The system will leave no scope for (fake) agencies to enter the local market,” Kumar said. The locally produced organic crops will be known as ‘Organic Uttarakhand’.

Meanwhile in the Indian Himalayan state Kashmir the village Pulwama is declared an organic village and will act as a model for replicating organic vegetable farming in the state gradually, reports Greater Kashmir.com. The minister said that there is a serious effort towards organic farming in Kashmir and Jammu. “It is important to start from somewhere. Besides having huge health benefits, organic farming is better for the environment as it reduces pollution, conserves water, reduces soil erosion, increases soil fertility, and uses less energy. Farming without pesticides is also better for nearby birds and animals as well as people who live close to farms,” he said. It is planned to restrict the usage of artificial fertilizers and agriculture department employees should guide the locals in organic farming.