Nagaland inks MoU to tap organic market

Kohima | October 7 : The prospect of organic farming in Nagaland is apparently heading towards a brighter side as the state’s Agriculture department and Bangalore-based International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) finally joined hands to expand and promote organic agriculture in Nagaland.
An MoU between them for this joint venture was signed on  August 12 this year. As part of the venture, “Organic Cluster Project,” was formally launched by minister for Agriculture Dr. Chumben Murry here today in the presence of  state’s agriculture officials, representatives from ICCOA and farmers across the state.
250 hectares of land will be covered under this project as a starter in Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha and Phek districts with selected crops such as potato, tea, ginger, maize and large cardamom. During the three-year period, ICCOA would focus on prioritized activities such as training of farmers on package practices, training on plant protection measures, organic certification of crops and market linkages.
The main objectives of the three-year project are to promote organic agriculture and its trade, helping farmers get market for their organic products, organic food processing and value addition, arranging buyer-seller meetings, working together for developing organic programmes.
Traditionally,  the Nagas have adopted a system of agricultural practices without the use of external inputs as such Nagaland is one of the lowest consumers of chemical fertilizers in the country at 1.5 kg ha which is negligible by any standard, a source said. The nutrient requirements of crops in traditional agricultural systems of the Nagas, depend only on natural resources (biomass).
Agriculture minister Dr. Chumben Murry termed the coming together of the state agriculture department and ICCOA as both opportunity and challenge to strengthen organic farming in Nagaland. Because of globalization, he said, everyone had become health conscious and concentrating on organic food. In his respect, he stressed on the need to give importance on organic agriculture.
He said that in the past people take up agricultural activities for domestic purpose only but a time has come to think in term of larger production and better quality.
Stating that 250 hectares under the current project is a starting point, he wishes to see the expansion of organic farming in Nagaland in the days to come where Nagaland will be well-known in other parts of the country of being organic and Green Nagaland.
He also admitted that marketing infrastructure is still in infant stage in Nagaland. To bridge this, he said, APMC system has been introduced in Nagaland and some APMC are doing well. “Marketing is still low. We have to do a lot for productivity at high level,” he said. He also wishes to see the blooming of agri produce in Nagaland.
Manoj Kumar Menon, executive director ICCOA said the North Eastern states has high potential in organic produce and hoped that Nagaland would also make a big way in this respect. The organic cluster project is likely to be expanded to 2500 hectares, covering other districts of the state. Nagaland will also be invited to the India Organic Trade Fair this year at Mumbai in November, Menon said.
Commissioner & secretary for agriculture Neitsale Zhasa, IAS, maintained that organic farming is by default existing in Nagaland, adding that the launching of the “Organic Cluster Project” was also wholesome opportunity for the people of Nagaland.
Zhasa also said that organic farming can be its main thrust to have quality produce and acknowledged ICCOA for venturing into Nagaland.
Status of organic agriculture, organic horticulture, progress and development of organic sector in north east, organic certification were among the many topics covered at the technical session.
Established in 2003 and based in Bangalore, ICCOA aims at becoming a knowledge and learning centre for all facets of organic agribusiness by providing information services, advice and market linkages to all organic stakeholders.