‘Launch a movement to promote organic farming’

Principal Secretary, Department of Cooperation, C. Somashekar on Wednesday called upon organic farmers to launch a movement among the farming community to promote the eco-friendly practice of organic farming.

Inaugurating a seminar on the role of cooperatives in organic farming and allied activities, organised by Karnataka State Cooperative Organic Producers’ Federation Ltd. at the Institute of Agricultural Technologists here, he suggested that organic farmers utilise the services of dairy cooperative societies to market their produce.

Mr. Somashekar also told the farmers to make best use of Raitha Grahaka Angala (farmers consumer yard), a concept promoted by the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee to create a direct link between farmers and consumers to market organic produce.

Stating that the services of Raitha Samparka Kendras in rural areas were not being properly harnessed, he appealed to organic farmers to make use of the facility to create awareness among other farmers on the need to reject chemically driven agricultural practices.

Mr. Somashekar also suggested that the federation form “informal squads” to trace traders who cheated growers and consumers by supplying spurious seeds and other produce.

Delivering the keynote address, federation secretary Devidas Gaonkar pointed out that lack of marketing facilities was a major problem faced by organic farmers in the State.

He lamented that the government’s Organic Farming Mission had failed to achieve its purpose.

“There is no demand for organic produce in rural areas and though there is a demand for the produce in urban areas, growers are not benefiting.”