SHILLONG, MAY 21: Meghalaya is expanding its shift to organic farming, with the state government targeting 1 lakh hectares under chemical-free cultivation, Agriculture Minister Timothy D. Shira said on Thursday.
“This organic farming is initiated by the government. No chemical fertilizers have been issued,” Shira told reporters. “People are trying to avoid these chemical fertilizers. They are using only bio-fertilizers and natural manure.”
The minister cited the Lakadong turmeric initiative under the Khadi Mission as a success story. “Recently I visited the place run by the cooperative society. They are doing well,” he said.
According to Shira, the cooperative model has changed market dynamics for farmers. “In the past, farmers had to take the produce to the market but now they need not go to the market. Now they come to the cooperative society, they pay a better price and they are doing all processing, powdering of the turmeric and it is supplied to lots of foreign countries,” he said.
On policy targets, the minister said the state is working with the Centre to scale up organic coverage. “The government has policy. Now with the help of the central government, the different units — one lakh hectares will be taken up under organic farming. We have taken 60,000 hectares so 40,000 more hectares of land have to be taken up for organic farming,” he said.
Addressing challenges in rice cultivation, Shira noted limits imposed by weather. “On rice cultivation, they are using the same method and even if they try to improve it also due to this climatic condition, they cannot improve it,” he said.
The minister added that farmland in the state has not been eroded by urban growth. “Urbanization has not affected farm lands in the state,” he said. Meghalaya has been promoting organic agriculture and high-value crops like Lakadong turmeric as part of its broader push for sustainable livelihoods and export-oriented farm produce.
By Our Reporter
