Andaman launches scheme to promote organic farming

Port Blair, June 11 (UNI) The Department of Agriculture(DoA) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is implementing a scheme for production of vermicompost organic manure in cultivator's field.

Vermicompost organic manure is one of the components of High Value Agriculture Programme.

''This programme is being envisaged to cater to the need of organic farming, in which supply of organic manure, supplemented with bio-fertilizers, is highly essential. In view of growing demands for organic products, organic cultivation will bring more income to the farmer,'' M A Salam, the Director of Andaman's Agriculture Department said.

Under this scheme the beneficiary would manufacture organic manure such as vermicompost, coir pith compost, farmyard manure or ordinary compost for which assistance will be provided by the administration. Pattern of assistance will be 50 per cent of the total infrastructure and maintenance cost of the unit is subject to maximum of Rs 20,000 per unit, the communication said adding that the beneficiary should have at least 2 cattle for getting benefit under the schemes.

UNI