N.E states urges agri ministry for organic farming

Shillong, Dec 20 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister J D Rymbai today urged the union ministry of Agriculture on the need to expand and introduce organic faming in a bigger way in the entire region.

Inaugurating the 18th meeting of regional committee meeting No 111 at ICAR research complex, Mr Rymbai said the ministry should harp on the strength of the region which, among others lies organic agriculture.

He also appealed to agriculture scientists to develop and provide the technological package needed to support organic agriculture in the region.

''The strength of this traditional system of agriculture which survived for centuries ought to be systemically improved adequate farming systems models,'' Mr Rymbai said.

Echoing similar views, Arunachal Pradesh minister in-charge agriculture Tsering Gyurme said the immediate need for practicing organic farming in an organised way is to evolve standard package of practices for and commercial crops.

In this process, Mr Gyurme said the ICAR need to contribute scientific inputs as well as affordable certification at state level.

Stating that the region provides considerable scope and opportunity for organic farming due to least utilization of chemical inputs, Director-General of Indian Council Agriculture Research (ICAR) and secretary Department of Agricultural Research&Education Dr Mangala Rai said, it is estimated that 18 million hectare of such land is available in the North-East, which can be exploited for organic production.

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