Port Blair, Feb 15: A meeting was held by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh & and Hon’ble Lt Governor, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), on organic farming with the officers of ICAR, Agriculture Department, senior officers of the Administration and other stake holders at the Conference hall of Raj Niwas today. The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray was also present. During the discussion, the Minister highlighted the following points:

Agriculture:

•               In order to promote irrigation facilities in the Islands, ring wells, ponds, drip irrigation and motor engines are being provided with a cost of around Rs 1 crore. Under the PMKY scheme more funds will be made available (A total of Rs 56 crores fund has been approved). 

•               The target of Soil Health Card scheme has been achieved (1200 cards have been distributed). Also, bilingual cards have been distributed in the Neil Island.

•               A ‘Tissue Culture Laboratory’ will be set up in Jirkatang this year. Rs One crore has been sanctioned under the RKVY scheme. Tissues will be distributed to the farmers.

•               NABARD has given the approval for construction of ‘Kissan Bhavan’ in the three Districts of the Islands. 

Organic Farming: -

•               In our country, under organic production, Soya bean comes in the first place with 70% production, grains & millets at 6% and traditional manure at 5%. Other than this Organic spices, tea and other agriculture produce offer huge potentials.

•               Small and medium farmers, who are finding difficulties to bear the agriculture costs, can move towards organic farming which can be done at very low cost and yield high produce and earn high profit.

•               Organic farming has great importance in the dry and semi-dry areas, hilly States and North Eastern States as well as Island Territories.  State like Sikkim has been declared as 100 % organic State and several other States in the country are moving towards this direction. My aim is to develop Neil Island into an organic Island.

•               The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also adopting institutional organic farming (940 hects organic area) whereas these Islands are fully fit for organic farming. Other than this, there is a large area where crops naturally grow organically. Due to low use of fertilizers and diversity, these Islands are perfect areas for adopting organic farming.  The food-chain, ecology system as well as residual insecticide are being studied by the ICAR and most of the samples are in acceptable limits. Organic farming has commenced in Nicobar Island and in order to declare Neil Island a organic farming zone, the Department of Agriculture, A&N Administration, South Andaman has taken up organic farming projects besides the scope and challenges related to this system of farming are being estimated.  An exhibition on organic produce and related aspects is being organized at the organic farm established by the A&N Administration. Similarly, the Central Agriculture Research Institution in the Sippighat farm has developed coconut cultivation through organic farming which is a perfect model for encouraging and gaining the acceptance of organic farming among the farming community.

•               To achieve the objective of organic farming, 47 Clusters have been formed and farmers are being trained through the PKVY scheme. 13 Clusters have been formed in the Neil Island.

•               Identification of organic products is a main challenge in these Islands. The Administration is working in this regard by providing training to officials, alongwith adopting the partnership guarantee system.

•               Under the local marketing programme, the organic market is being developed which will provide organic products to domestic consumers. To confirm the sale of organic products, the Administration is organizing various events like Andaman Bazaar, etc. In addition, APEDA has taken the responsibility of exporting of organic products.

•               Coconut and coconut products can be exported to a large extent. APEDA will provide support in this regard. The Regional Office of Coconut Development Board of Port Blair region is working for the promotion of organic farming.

•               Organic farming programmes should be implemented among the farmers with the same zeal as the Green Revolution was started in India. The country should move forwards to achieve the goal of becoming chemical free as per the wish of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Come let us all join hands and take strong action to fulfill the objective of becoming a chemical free country.

Animal Husbandry:

•               Under the ‘Gokulgram’ scheme Rs 10 crores has been approved for development of a Gokulgram in 20 hects of land in the Sansad Gram at Ferrargunj village. 

•               Through the ‘Hydroponic Technique’ the problem of green fodder is being solved which will also enhance milk production in the Islands and these Islands will become self-reliant. 

•               Approval has been given to improve the breed through ‘Embryo Transfer’ technology.

•               In addition to animal rearing through value addition, efforts are being made to increase the livelihood by giving the produce to the tourists.

Fisheries

•               Under the ‘Inland Fisheries’ or fresh water fish cultivation scheme, seeds are being procured from mainland for rejuvenating 2600 ponds.

•               Under the ‘Blue Revolution’ permission has been given to procure   vessels by availing the subsidy under scheme for ‘Deep Sea Fishing’.

•               Sea Cage culture is being promoted by installing 100 Sea Cage.