Baddowal, September 26
The future is bright for organic farmers in the country and if steps are taken to promote organic farming, India could have a substantial share in the $ 100 billion global market share of organic products. Other key players in the region in next two years could be China, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
These were the views expressed by experts at a seminar-cum-awareness camp on cultivation of medicinal plants and organic farming organised at Hara Research and Development Centre, Baddowal, here today. Those present were unanimous that there was a need for diversification by breaking out of the wheat - paddy monoculture and switch to cultivation of medicinal plantation and organic farming.
The chief guest, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, evinced keen interest in the cultivation of medicinal plants and organic practices and assured his full support in this context. Others present on the occasion included former MP Gurcharan Singh Galib, the Chief Agricultural Officer, Dr Rajinder Singh Pandher, and Dr Kirpal Singh.
Welcoming the guests and the participants, Capt Sukhjeet Singh Hara pointed out that the demand for organic products was increasing manifold throughout the world and India, owing to its vast land holdings and varied climate, could contribute to domestic as well as international needs.
He said the USA, Japan, France and Singapore were experiencing a growth rate of 20 per cent annually in organic agriculture and countries like Australia, Switzerland and Thailand were also changing their agriculture system accordingly as organic products were sold at double the price than identical products produced on non-organic farms.
He said India was self sufficient in foodgrains, but had not taken into account the after-effects of agricultural chemicals, including hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, as they leave residues in food stuff that may cause cancer or genetic damage. Similarly, nothing was being done about pollution in the air and water by such farm inputs which had resulted in decreased fertility of land and soil structure.
Dr V.K. Saini said the demand for medicinal plants and herbs was increasing as people tried alternative forms of medication in lieu of allopathic medicines. However, America and European countries were showing less interest in these products. Safed musli, which was also known as an alternative for viagra due to its high qualities and high value ingredients, was one such root which could be markeketed globally. “At present, we are only producing 500 mt of safed musli as compared to the demand of 4,000 mt, hence, there is a vast gap between demand and production.”
Here, Punjab could play a major role due to our high-value soils and hardworking farmers. We could even compete in international markets with ginseng, the famous root grown in China, Korea and Taiwan. Export of ginseng only to North America is touching $ 960 million annually. Safed musli has more medicinal value than ginseng, as per recent surveys, he added.
He said the demand for safed musli was increasing worldwide. Therefore, Punjab farmers could generate a good income from shrinking landholdings. Other medicinal plants like ashwagandha, kounch, satawar, kalmegh, kalhari, lemon grass, annatto, etc could also be commercially grown in India, he stressed.
The experts and participants also asked the government to provide the farmers the necessary technical knowhow to grow plants and herbs besides financial aid. Till a proper the marketing infrastructure was in place, the state should buy the produce at an assured MSP.
Mr Kamaljeet Singh Hara proposed a vote of thanks.
