Lok Sabha
Organic food sector is in nascent stage and State-wise information on its growth is not available. However, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) have reported export growth rate of organic produce at 31%, 10% and 187%, valued at Rs. 95.33 crore, Rs. 104.87 crore and Rs. 301.24 crore during the years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 respectively.
At present the Government has no proposal to formulate a new policy to encourage consumption and growth of organic produce. However, the Government has already taken up a National Project on Organic Farming from the year 2004-05 onwards for production, promotion and market development of Organic Farming in the country. The main components under the project are: training programmes and field demonstrations on organic farming; setting up of organic input units; capacity building through service providers and market development.
Apart from above, assistance is being provided under National Horticulture Mission for organic cultivation of horticultural crops, setting up of vermin-compost units and organic certification.
This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria, Minister of State for Agriculture in a written reply.
MP:CP:organic (21.4.2008)
(Release ID :37634)