The seminar on ORGANIC PRODUCTION organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Guwahati on 13th of March 2012 has made three major recommendations for the northeastern region after the conclusion of the seminar. They are:

1. Formation of a State Level Committee for submitting recommendations to Governments of North East States for formulating a Organic Policy in the NE States.

2. An “Organic Entrepreneur Meet” involving all stakeholders & entrepreneurs/unemployed youths of the Region.

3. Implementation of participatory guarantee system for Organic certification of products for local markets.

As a follow up activity, a State Level Committee would be formed to submit recommendations to Government of NE States.

About 170 participants attended the Seminar mostly from Government Departments, Farmers, Certification bodies, entrepreneurs and private enterprises.

The seminar was organised in association with APEDA, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, National Horticulture Board (NHB), Ministry of Agriculture and NABARD to popularize the concept of organic farming.

Organic farming has emerged as a major thrust area in agriculture over the past few years throughout the globe. Northeast India, with its tremendous collection of biotic resources, has till now not been able to realize the importance and the benefits of organic farming to its full potential. In view of the growing demand in the market for organic foods, there have been initiatives from various sectors including the central and state governments to popularize organic farming.

Adressing the seminar Dr. PVSM Gauri, Advisor, National Programme for Organic Production, APEDA, New Delhi said that organic farming in India started even before the much hyped Green Revolution but in its traditional form. Dr. K M Bujarbaruah, Vice Chancellor, Assam Agriculture University said that the agroclimatic condition of the Northeast is favourable for organic farming and the cultivators and players of the region must be given proper and adequate training for producing organic products and organize market which is already existent.

 

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