The State level organic farmers’ convention was organised by Agragamee on 27th October 2017 at the auditorium of Institute of Engineers. There was also a display of farm products and dialogue among farmers along with the convention.
In the first session of discussion Mr Balakrishnan, Development Commissioner highlighted the need of food diversity and goal behind initiation of Millet mission in the State and emphasised the importance of micro nutrient requirement among the population. Secretary Agriculture, Mr Saurav Garg welcomed the initiative to bring together the organic farmers in such huge number and assured that the State Government will be taking proactive steps to promote organic farming by ensuring reasonable minimum support price and making inputs, subsidy and training available to them. Food and Trade Policy Analyst, Dr Devendra Sharma, talked about various concerns and bottlenecks for organic farmers and agriculture sector in general and pointed out how policy decisions at different phase of time have impacted agriculture sector and what is the solution ahead. Professor Radhamohan, Environmentalist, discussed in detail the plight of organic farmers in the State.
Food diversity, micro nutrient in different crops and importance of organic farming to address malnutrition was discussed by Mr Pravesh Sharma (Retd. IAS), Madhhya Pradesh, Mr Ashok Dalbhai, CEO, National Rainfed Area Development Authority, GoI, Mr Basanta Kumar Kar, CEO, CFNS in another session. Application of different techniques and technology in the field of organic farming was also discussed in a panel lead by Mr Manoj Ahuja, IAS, OSD, Department of General Administration, Prof. Prabhu Charan Lenka, Eminent Horticulturist, Dr M Muthukumar, IAS. Director, Horticulture, Mr K C Panigrahi, CGM, NABARD, Ms Sabarmati, Sambhav.
The recommendations from the convention will be presented before the Government.