Hafed ties up with Morarka Foundation for organic farming

Chandigarh, Jan 25 (UNI) The Haryana State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (HAFED) has decided to adopt a holistic approach to promote organic farming in the state and has tied up with the Morarka Foundation for the purpose.

Stating this here today, Agriculture Minister Harmohinder Singh Chatha said the farmers would get the benefits of professional and fair linkage, easy market access and environmental benefits if they commit ''to go organic''. He said initially, the project would target 5000 acres of land of about 1000 farmers, who would be provided best technological inputs, including training and farm level advisory services as per standards of organic farming.

He said organic certification as per international standards would be done to facilitate domestic and export market for the output. HAFED had tied up with a non-government organisation, Morarka Foundation, having nation-wide presence and wide spread experience on state level organic farming projects to provide farmer services.

The minister informed that all expenditure on farmer services, certification procedure, consultancy was being done by HAFED and a weekly radio programme on various aspects of organic farming had also been aired for the farmers. He said organic farming and demand of organic certified consumer products had been rising appreciably in most of the countries and progressive farmers were taking advantage of this.

Ms Chatha said many small and marginal farmers had shown an interest in organic farming but were holding back due to lack of expert advice. He said the organisation would not only enlighten the farmers in the most appropriate manner, it would also save them from substandard inputs and ensure genuine organic products for consumers at competitive prices.

UNI HS SB AS1646