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Organic farming gets a boost in Shekhawati region

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: The M.R. Morarka-GDC Rural Research Foundation, a non-profit body working in the field of organic farming, has adopted biotechnology in a big way for agricultural growth and environment protection in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan and elsewhere and trained farmers in profitable agricultural practices.

The Foundation has expanded the scope of its work and extended benefit to nearly 50 lakh people since its inception in 1993-94 through new tie-ups with private sector in the country and technical collaborations with the international resource organisations.

Morarka Foundation's Executive Director Mukesh Gupta said here on Sunday that the group had created food processing facilities to handle up to 10,000 kg per day of fruits and vegetables conforming to global standards.

The Foundation is recognised as a professional service delivery agency with its network having the ability to supply farm produce at the retail level.

Mr. Gupta said the growing awareness about positive health aspects of organic vegetables and fruits in the metro cities would increase the popularity of organic food stuff and expand the role of the organisations such as Morarka Foundation, which would help reduce the distance between producers and consumers.

Morarka Foundation was established as a voluntary organisation at Nawalgarh in Rajasthan in 1993 by Kamal M. Morarka in collaboration with Gannon Dunkerley and Company (GDC) Limited of Mumbai. It has worked for promoting sustainable agriculture by popularising biofarming practices during the last 12 years.

Mr. Gupta said the Foundation, besides planning to introduce organic food in the markets in Delhi by this month-end, had made use of biotechnology for ensuring a longer shelf life of organic farm produce than that of the products manufactured chemically. "We have taken steps to reduce the cost of organic food stuff by an intelligent combination of technology and traditional farm practices,'' he said. Morarka Foundation has assisted nearly 2,500 entrepreneurs across the country during the last five years in the promotion of vermiculture.

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