(a) whether the Government intend to encourage organic farming in the country;
(b) if so, the reasons for the failure in organic farming methods in the country;
(c) the steps the Government propose to take to popularise this type of farming; and
(d) the manner in which the Government intend to encourage the private entrepreneurs in
this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHRIPAD Y. NAIK)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b) & (c) With the introduction of high yielding varieties of crops requiring high amounts of
nutrients, use of chemical fertilizers has been increasing in the country with resultant increase in
the crop production. The use of organic source of plant nutrients such as those through
compost, manures, green manures, etc have been proportionately reducing but there has not
been failure of organic farming methods as such.
To ensure the supply of required amounts of plant nutrients, Government encourages
the integrated nutrient and pest management system which envisages optimum use of chemical
forms of plant nutrients and pest control measures coupled with the use of organic source of
nutrients and biological and mechanical pest control measures.
As per the National Agriculture Policy, Government proposes to encourage balanced
and optimum use of fertilizers together with the use of organic manures and biofertilizers to
optimise the efficiency of nutrient use.
Government has also set up a Task Force on Organic Farming which will collect
information on organic farming practices, make an assessment about propagation of
appropriate technology of organic farming, suggest short term, mid-term and long term
measures for development and propagation of organic farming including measures required for
marketing of organic farming produce and standards about organic farming.
(d) Government is encouraging production of Biofertiliser, an Organic source of nutrient
through private entrepreneurs also. Promotion of Vermi-Compost/Compost from urban
biodegradable waste is being encouraged through State action plan under macro management
mode of implementing schemes.