- Natural farming will become the new identity of Naxal-free villages.
- A plan has been prepared with APEDA, Agriculture and Panchayat Department, special survey and testing will be conducted in Bastar division.
The state government has started an important initiative to take the organic products of Bastar division to the big national and international markets and to ensure a significant increase in the income of the farmers. Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, in a high-level meeting held at Mahanadi Bhawan (Mantralaya) in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar on Friday, directed to identify those villages of Bastar where farmers have not used chemical fertilizers till date and get them certified as organic. He said that such villages are the invaluable natural heritage of Chhattisgarh and their organic identity should be established at the global level.
- New initiative based on Bastar migration experience
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma said that during his recent visit to Bastar, visiting the Naxal-free villages of Narayanpur and Kanker, many farmers informed him that they had never used chemical fertilizers in their fields. He said that such villages should be identified and linked to the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) so that their products can be duly certified as organic and can be exported to major markets in the country as well as other foreign markets, including Europe.
- Organic certification will significantly increase farmers’ income
Mr. Sharma said that after organic certification, Bastar farmers will be able to receive three to four times the current price for their produce. This will increase farmers’ income, encourage natural farming, and give Bastar’s unique agricultural identity a new international recognition.
- A strategy will be developed to reach European markets
The meeting discussed in detail the certification process required under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) to take Bastar’s organic products to markets in Europe and other countries. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the entire process of quality, certification and marketing should be completed in a timely manner so that Bastar’s products can establish their distinct identity in the global market. For this, everyone will be made a partner in production by forming cooperative societies at the village level.
- Joint teams will visit Bastar districts, testing will be done
The Deputy Chief Minister directed the formation of two joint teams, led by Shri Ashwini Dewangan, Director of the National Rural Livelihood Mission, to visit Narayanpur, Sukma, Dantewada, Kanker, and Bijapur districts. He said that these teams, in collaboration with officials from APEDA and the Agriculture Department, will survey organic areas and complete the necessary testing and technical procedures for organic products. By securing organic certification for entire gram panchayats, Bastar’s products will be exported through Bihan’s Chhattisgarhkala brand.
- Exemption will be taken in organic certification
Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sharma directed the Central Government to waive the three-year period required for NPOP certification, given the unique circumstances of Bastar. Furthermore, he urged the government to prepare forest products for export, eliminating the need for certification, so that the people of Bastar can receive fair prices for their forest products.
- Cooperation of certification bodies will also be taken
The Deputy Chief Minister also directed to take the services of certification institutions of Chhattisgarh and to take all necessary administrative and technical steps soon to speed up the process of organic certification. Additional Chief Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Mrs. Richa Sharma, Secretary Mr. Bhim Singh, Secretary Mr. Dharmesh Sahu, Director of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Mr. Taran Prakash Sinha, Director of National Rural Livelihood Mission, Mr. Ashwini Devangan, officials of APEDA, officials of Agriculture Department and other senior officials of the department were present in the meeting.
