VIJAYAWADA: Organic farmers in Krishna district will soon float an NGO, National Natural Organic Farmers Federation. The objective is to assist organic farmers in finding good market for their produce and clarify their doubts with regard to their products.
The Andhra Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) organised a meeting on ‘necessity of certification of organic products’ here on Monday where speakers expressed concern over the fact that small and marginal farmers were not getting proper price for their produce. The speakers said the Federation would be helpful in achieving better price to the farmer for his organic produce, compared to conventional products. Certification would be an important marketing tool, they pointed out.
Stating that certification would be the link between farmers, processors and consumers, they it would also build trust between consumer and organic producers. The organic labels and certification marks would help the ‘health conscious’ consumers identify the organic products easily, they suggested.
The Krishna district organic farming chief coordinator K. Sambasiva Rao said a group of farmers could go for certification to bring down the cost involved in it. Each farmer would have to pay Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2000 for the certification. It would take two to three years to get the certification, he explained.
The Federation would also help the farmers in issues related to thrift and crop loans besides providing linkage between ‘gosalas’ (cow shelters). Cow dung etc. are essential ingredients in the organic products and the federation would also supply green manure seeds to raise fodder.
ACCI president Muthavarapu Muralikrishna, Secretary Chukkapalli Prasad, Bangalore-based Certification Agency APOF representative N. Shiva Kumar spoke.
EOM
