Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
value addition and, more importantly, food and nutritional security. It took only
10-15 years for this transition and the results are encouraging.
Currently there are a number of certified organic farmers in the state, those
cultivating cash crops such as spices, tea, and coffee, mainly targeting export
markets, and also noncertified organic farmers who focus on food crops and
biodiversity. All of them, whether certified or not, focus clearly on soil health
improvement. Kerala also has an accredited organic certifying agency catering
to the needs of the farmers.
Some of the farming systems such as
Pokkali
and
Kaipad
cultivation, cultiva-
tion of
Jeerakasala
and
Gandhakasala
varieties of paddy in Wayanad, and home-
stead farming systems all over the state are default organic. Studies have estab-
lished the economic viability and productivity of homestead farms in the State
and elsewhere. Recently the Adat panchayath in Thrissur district has started
organic cultivation of rice in an area of 2,500 acres, promoting an integrated
farming system that is known as the Adat model. Similarly, Marappanmoola
in Wayanad has another model organic farming system involving hundreds of
farmers.
Marketing of organic produce is also being experimented with, in many
places like the Organic Bazaar in Thiruvananthapuram, Eco-shops in Thrissur
and Kozhikode, and Jaiva Krishi Sevana Kendram in Kannur. Self-help groups
of women are encouraged to undertake the organic farming of vegetables in
some panchayats.
There is a rich potential for promoting organic farming in Kerala, [given] that
the intensity of inorganic agriculture here is not as severe compared to that in
other States in the country. W hile the national average consumption of fertiliz-
ers and pesticides during 2002-2003 was 90kg/ha and 288g/ha respectively, it
was only 60kg/ha and 224g/ha respectively in Kerala. This points to the posi-
tive side of agriculture in Kerala in terms of the already low levels of consump-
tion of hazardous chemicals and, therefore, the chance of redeeming farmers to
organic agriculture are quite high.
Realising the [stark] realities, the State Department of Agriculture com-
menced organic farming promotional activities in 2002-2003. In the following
year, the Department set up a cell for Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture and
Organic Farming. It has also launched two brands, namely “Kerala Organic”
and “Kerala Naturals,” to market organic farm produce. Currently, about 7,000
farmers practice organic farming in the State as per NPOP standards, covering a
total area of 5,750 ha. But the noncertified organic cultivation area, assessments
of which have not been done, is expected to be much more than this.
