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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Small organic farmer groups aim big by Hemlata Verma

Small organic farmer groups aim big by Hemlata Verma

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published Published on Jun 12, 2010   modified Modified on Jun 12, 2010


Kinnauri rajmash, chilgoza (pinus gerardiana), walnut and dried apricots have always been in high demand and commanded a competitive price in the market, but connecting them with the concept of organic food has yielded high premiums for farmers in the state.

Himalayan Organisation for Organic Agri Products (HIMOARD), based at Rampur in Shimla, has brought international recognition for these farm products of the tribal district of Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.

A group of 6,400 farmers has supplied the first overseas order for Kinnauri rajmash (red kidney beans) to Brazil. In 2009-10, HIMOARD exported 9 metric tonnes of certified organic Kinnaur Rajmash to Sao Paulo Brazil.

“As compared to the domestic market we got about 30 to 40 per cent premium from export,” said Dr R S Minhas, a Rampur-based farmer and head of HIMOARD.

This season, the group is expecting to double the export target of rajmash and also add Kinnauri walnuts to the export kitty.

Products produced in the farms spread over 984 hectares in the interiors of Rampur, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu and Mandi and the stone fruits produced in the orchards including almonds and the wild (chilgoza and apricots) were picked by HIMOARD for organic certification in year 2004, after four years into organic production.

“Initially, the organic produce did not result in additional returns and consumer awareness was less, but as we created awareness around the country and overseas the orders poured in,” said Harish Lakto and Karam Chand Negi farmer members of HIMOARD.

The group is also listed on important export websites as supplier of niche organic products and has big supply orders for organic grains, herbs and fruits in hand from many companies, including Beta Food Private limited USA and Yogi Botanicals.

Leader of Saraswati Mahila Group in Samala of Rohru in Shimla district, Kanta Deshta, dealing in horticulture produce said, “Productivity in apple and nectarine orchards took a beating in the first three years when our group shifted from chemical based fertilisers and pesticides to organic. Now we have certification organic production but our organic apples and potato are still to find a special market segment, except in special organic festival.”

The farmers groups were in Shimla to display their organic products at the Organic Fair and Food Festival, held by Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture Secretary Ram Subhag Singh said of the Rs 1,200 crore investment in agriculture in the state though the share of organic farming is minute, but with nearly 20,000 registered and nearly 1200 certified organic farmers groups, the awareness of organic is picking up with farmers.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, while inaugurating the festival suggested the farmers to stick to organic farming. “Though a larger section of consumers would slowly open up for these products, in the meanwhile the biggest benefit to the farmers would be to improve the soil health disturbed by excessive use of chemical fertilisers.”


The Indian Express, 12 June, 2010, http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Small-organic-farmer-groups-aim-big/632676


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