Maharashtra is leading in organic farming, despite the fact that most organic farmers in the country face trouble in practising the chemical-free method. This is because the farmers in the state have done more research on this method than the agricultural universities.

Organic farming gained momentum in the state in the past five-six years. Despite this, the enterprising farmers in the state are facing difficulties. The high fee charged by organic certification agencies and their lack of standardisation are major obstacles. The certification by an independent agency is necessary for consumers to find out if the food is organic.

The Agriculture and Processed Food Development Agency (Apeda) has approved some certification agencies in the country.

Namdev Mali, a well-known organic farmer from Shirur taluka of Pune district, said: "The certification fees range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 60,000 from agency to agency. This discourages a farmer from getting his fields certified. Certification is also required if we want to export."

The other major hurdle faced by the farmers is marketing the food. Though there is a growing urban population willing to pay higher prices for organic food, it becomes difficult to find such providers. "The transport cost is huge. We need space for packaging in cities as labour is not available in villages," said Sunanda More, an organic farmer.

Though practitioners of organic farming have already demonstrated that production does not decline due to such methods, the agriculture universities and the state agriculture departments are still not convinced if such farming can meet the requirement of the growing population. "Using earthworms and cow dung is not organic farming. And those who don't follow all the principles (of organic farming), do not get its full results," said Mr Mali.

Also, the Maharashtra government is yet to approve the draft organic farming policy prepared two years ago by the Prof Rajaram Deshmukh Committee.

Organic farmers want the government to create a website to bring together growers and buyers, provide transport subsidy and space for packaging in the cities. The farmers are now hoping that the promise - made by state agriculture minister Balasaheb Thorat at the recently held Maha-organic festival - to approve the organic policy within the next three months will soon be realised.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com