Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the government alone. “The government, along with the village system
can produce the guarantee system [on its own],” Usha explained simply,
continuing to argue against the need for a third-
party certifier to enter
into the equation. “Basically, it should be based on a faith, the system.
People should not cheat. Farmers should not cheat the consumers, and
also consumers should not exploit farmers. That should be the system.”
In light of the language in the organic farming policy itself, as well as
the widespread support for it, the organic farming practices advocated by
the 2010 organic farming policy can be distilled into the following for-
mula: agricultural production of vegetables and rice for domestic con-
sumption, not cash crop agriculture. The policy casts certified organic
agriculture for export as unreliable, unsustainable, and unnecessary, the
pursuit of those motivated by individual gain and not the greater good of
Kerala's population and the environment.
In December 2010, Kerala's State Horticultural Mission, a branch of
the Agriculture Department, hosted an event, the International Horti-
cultural Expo, in Thiruvananthapuram. The governing Chief Minister
delivered an inaugural speech that extoled the virtues of organic farming.
In atendance were several organic vendors and farmers, selling and ad-
vertising their products and activities. I ran into Chackochan, who had
come down to the city to showcase IOFPCL's and Organic Wayanad's ex-
portable and organic (and Fair Trade) black pepper, coffee beans, and me-
dicinal products. I had just finished an interview with an official behind
the organic farming policy who, in his statements, had decried organic
agriculture for export, so I brought up this topic in conversation with
Chackochan. I was curious to see how he would reply.
“There seems to be a division among organic farmers here,” I men-
tioned casually. “A division between those who think it's okay to export
organic products, like you, and those who believe farmers should only do
agriculture for domestic consumption.”
Chackochan agreed that there was truth to my observation. He knew
of people who advocated organic farming in Kerala for domestic con-
sumption only, and he disapproved. “We need to think about the world as
