More efforts to promote Organic agriculture needed (23 September 2007)

KOCHI: An international seminar on markets and marketing of organic products has stressed the need for more efforts from Central and state governments for the promotion of Organic agriculture. Describing Organic farming as an "excellent tool" for enhancing the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers who are resource poor and pursue agriculture in marginal lands, Gerald A Herrmann, Director of Organic Services, GMBH, Germany, said this was the most sustainable alternative to overcome poverty and bring about sustainable rural development. Herrmann was addressing the two day seminar, which concluded at nearby Aluva yesterday. The Organic agribusiness was growing in leaps and bounds and the global Organic business for 2006 was $37.6 billion. "The organic markets in the EU, US and national markets in India are excellent destinations for the organic produce whether single or value added coming from India" Ramesh Harve, Director of Organic Services and Solutions India said. Six technical sessions and presentations from over 12 international and national experts were held at the seminar organised by Organic Services & Solutions India Private Ltd, a joint venture with Organic Services GMBH of Germany. The workshop was supported by the German Development Bank, BioFach, the world leading organic trade fair and Morarka Organic. Critical issues related to furthering of Organic movement in India like competence of small and marginal farmers, market information and methodologies, value addition standards and certification and diversification of organic products were among the topics discussed.