The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Organic farms proposed in Medak, R.R. district

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 23, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Organic farms proposed in Medak, R.R. district

By M.L.Melly Maitreyi

HYDERABAD, AUG.22. The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is planning demonstration organic farms in Medak and Ranga Reddy districts in association with the Department of Agriculture and Agriculture University in the State to promote awareness on organic farming.

The APEDA Assistant General Manager, T. Sudhakar, said that though organic farming-- cultivation of food grains and growing vegetables and fruits without use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides -- became popular in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and other States, there was not much awareness in the State.

Survey conducted

In view of the inclination of some sections to switch to organic food products, the APEDA got a survey done regarding market, demand, network for sourcing and delivery of organic inputs besides certification procedures and identification of accreditation agencies to certify organic food products.

"These are the basic facilities to encourage marketing of organic food and promotion of organic farming."

Good market

Mr. Sudhakar says that the shift was now from quantity to quality food. Though the use of fertilisers and pesticides helped in increasing the yield, it had also taken a toll on environment, soil quality and health of people.

There is a huge market for food grains, fruits and vegetables grown through natural methods in US, Europe and Japan and at present one per cent of world food production was by organic farming, he disclosed.

Mr. Koundinya, who surveyed the market for APEDA in various States to assess the infrastructure to support organic farming from supply of organic inputs to finished products, says that in States like Maharasthra, Karnataka and Kerala many outlets sell a variety of organic food products right from rice, pulses, wheat flour, spices, oil, tea, coffee to fruits and vegetables.

Facilitator role

Mr. Sudharkar said that APEDA proposed to play the role of a facilitator to encourage the interested individuals, farmers and entrepreneurs to take to organic farming.

Stating that there was an outlet in Erragadda Rytu Bazar selling organic food, he says if exclusive counters selling a grocery basket of different types of organic food products come up in the city and other areas, many would like to switch to organic food.

Another good feature of organic farming is the cost of inputs would come down significantly thus reducing the burden on the farmers.

Organic farming however cannot be taken up without first preparing the agricultural land that had been consistently exposed to chemicals.

It would take at least one to three years to get the soil rid of the toxic effect of the residual chemicals.

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