Coimbatore: Under the National Organic Farming project, the Tamil Nadu Organic Farming Department is issuing organic farming certificates to the farmers. Subsidy schemes too will be allocated to the farmers on the basis of this certificate.
Coimbatore: Under the National Organic Farming project, the Tamil Nadu Organic Farming Department is issuing organic farming certificates to the farmers. Subsidy schemes too will be allocated to the farmers on the basis of this certificate.
Organic farming involved using natural fertilizers and completely discarding artificial fertilizers and pesticides for farming. Fruits, vegetables and other value-added products which are cultivated by means of organic farming have had good response in the market and are sold at a higher price.
However, adulterated food were also sold as organic products. To combat this malpractice, the organic farming certificates are being issued.
Speaking on this, Prof. E Somasundaram, the Head of the Department of Sustainable Organic Agriculture said, "It is essential for people who are involved in organic farming to gain organic farming certificates which will improve the credibility of consumers on farmers. Particularly, people who export natural products must avail this certificate. People can register alone or in groups to obtain this certificate."
"People who are involved in animal husbandry, bee keeping and storing of forest products can also register under this scheme. Farmers who follow organic farming can form teams and plan similar products which in turn increases the yield and will gain good value in the market," opined Prof. E Somasundaram. "Natural farming is carried out in 2717 acres of agricultural lands in Coimbatore and around 250 farmers were benefited by gaining this certificate," he added.
Speaking on the procedures to be followed to gain an organic agriculture certificate, officials said, "People who apply for the certificate should be involved in natural farming. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other chemical seeds should be avoided. Farmers can gain certificates when national organic standards are met during a conversion period of at least two years, before sowing or in the case of perennial crops, other than grasslands, at least three years before the first harvest of the certified organic crop.
Even farmers who are involved in natural farming for a long time can gain certificates after waiting for at least 12 months." The officials added, "Farmers can apply by filling the application form along with submitting annual cropping programme, operators agreement with TNOCD, general details of the farm, farm map/field map, chitta copy (land document), soil and water test result copy, PAN card copy and Aadhar card copy."
Speaking on this, farmers who are awaiting to obtain the organic farming certificate said, "We have had to wait for nearly three years to get the certificate. Reduction of the application fee will benefit many farmers which in turn will bring more number of farmers toward natural farming."
For further information, farmers can contact the Seed Certification and Organic Certification Director, 1424 A, Thadagam Road, Coimbatore - 641 013. Phone: 0422 2435080.
Organic farming involved using natural fertilizers and completely discarding artificial fertilizers and pesticides for farming. Fruits, vegetables and other value-added products which are cultivated by means of organic farming have had good response in the market and are sold at a higher price.
However, adulterated food were also sold as organic products. To combat this malpractice, the organic farming certificates are being issued.
Speaking on this, Prof. E Somasundaram, the Head of the Department of Sustainable Organic Agriculture said, "It is essential for people who are involved in organic farming to gain organic farming certificates which will improve the credibility of consumers on farmers. Particularly, people who export natural products must avail this certificate. People can register alone or in groups to obtain this certificate."
"People who are involved in animal husbandry, bee keeping and storing of forest products can also register under this scheme. Farmers who follow organic farming can form teams and plan similar products which in turn increases the yield and will gain good value in the market," opined Prof. E Somasundaram. "Natural farming is carried out in 2717 acres of agricultural lands in Coimbatore and around 250 farmers were benefited by gaining this certificate," he added.
Speaking on the procedures to be followed to gain an organic agriculture certificate, officials said, "People who apply for the certificate should be involved in natural farming. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides and other chemical seeds should be avoided. Farmers can gain certificates when national organic standards are met during a conversion period of at least two years, before sowing or in the case of perennial crops, other than grasslands, at least three years before the first harvest of the certified organic crop.
Even farmers who are involved in natural farming for a long time can gain certificates after waiting for at least 12 months." The officials added, "Farmers can apply by filling the application form along with submitting annual cropping programme, operators agreement with TNOCD, general details of the farm, farm map/field map, chitta copy (land document), soil and water test result copy, PAN card copy and Aadhar card copy."
Speaking on this, farmers who are awaiting to obtain the organic farming certificate said, "We have had to wait for nearly three years to get the certificate. Reduction of the application fee will benefit many farmers which in turn will bring more number of farmers toward natural farming."
For further information, farmers can contact the Seed Certification and Organic Certification Director, 1424 A, Thadagam Road, Coimbatore - 641 013. Phone: 0422 2435080.