Though total area under organic farming in Madhya Pradesh (MP) has increased from 4.32 lakh hectares (ha) in 2009-10 to over 26 lakh ha in 2014, but it has not benefited the farmers as certified organic farming area under cultivation remained at just 1.48 lakh ha as the State Government has not been able to implement its draft policy for organic farming that was formulated way back in 2010, apex industry body ASSOCHAM said on Thursday.

National secretary general of the chamber DS Rawat at a press conference here in Bhopal on Thursday released the study titled ‘Organic Farming in MP: Growing opportunity for Indian agriculture,’ conducted by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

Rawat highlighted the study point that Organic farming provides livelihood to 1.7 lakh farmers in MP alone, but their incomes have not increased due to poor certifying facilities in the State while incomes of farmers practising certified organic farming have increased 10 fold across States.

Rawat said, “Fruits and vegetables account for lion’s share of about 40 per cent in the entire organic market and though MP produces large number of fruits and vegetables, but unfortunately most of it remains outside the purview of organic produce.”

The ASSOCHAM also suggested to MP Government over organic farming by saying that with a view to increase certified organic cultivation area in MP, the State Government should immediately implement its draft policy for organic farming, suggested the ASSOCHAM study.

The State Government should consider making Satna and Damoh districts as production hubs for organic wheat and rice as BT cotton and BCI cotton have seriously dented market for organic cotton, a prime commodity of MP, suggested the study prepared by the ASSOCHAM Economic Research Bureau (AERB).

Besides, the State Government should adopt stringent certification norms so as to detect any chemical residue in organic crops.

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