IMPHAL, March 9: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today stressed the need to shift to organic farming for healthier society and make food tastier, delivering his chief guest speech during one day National Workshop on Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) held at conference hall, Classic Grande.
Underscoring the benefit of organic products, Gaikhangam said that it is environmental friendly besides being health friendly when compare to non-organic product which is detrimental to both.
He earnestly appealed the farmers to avoid selling nonorganic products by claiming as organic product at high price tag.
He further claimed that some of the developed countries have stopped nonorganic farming and entirely shifted its focus on organic farming realising its benefits, he said.
Gaikhangam highlighted that the purpose of organizing this workshop is to give acknowledgement and benefits to farmers with regards to organic farming which was adopted by our ancestors.
He said that organic farming in India is not a new system and is being followed from ancient time and it is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land and raising crops naturally without any chemical in the productions.
Organic agriculture is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity, he continued.
The Deputy CM who is also holding the portfolio of Tribal Development and Horticulture, stated that the North Eastern states of India are known for using less fertilizer and has lots of potential to produce variety of agricultural production like king chilly, turmeric, orange, pineapple, passion fruit, kiwi and other various vegetable items.
Chief Secretary, O Nabakishore noting that 90 percent of Manipur’s land is in hills, stressed the need to need to conduct awareness campaign about the uses and benefit of organic farming widely in hill areas if the state wants to successfully practise organic farming.