Madhya Pradesh accounts for half of country's total organic farming: Government

BHOPAL: Nearly half of the total organic farming area in the country exists in Madhya Pradesh which stands at 25.82 lakh hectares.

"Madhya Pradesh has maximum of 25.82 lakh hectares under organic farming in the country. This is about half of total organic farming area in India," according to an official release issued here today.

It was informed at a meeting of Agriculture Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here yesterday.

At the meeting, a presentation was given on three subjects, including arrangement of fertilisers, organic farming and paddy procurement.

Chouhan directed officials to keep on with their continuous monitoring to ensure that farmers get fair price for their produce.

Immediate and strict action should be taken as soon as an irregularity is reported. It should also be ensured that paddy is not sold on rates less than support price, it said.

The meeting was informed that Rabi sowing has been undertaken this year on 91.54 lakh hectares.

So far, 12.21 lakh MT fertiliser has been distributed. In the state, 77,971 organic farmers have been registered and demonstration farms have been selected in 16 districts. One organic village in each division will be awarded, it said.

As many as 5,14,202 farmers have been registered for procurement of paddy and coarse cereals on support price.

Besides, 3,42,606 MT paddy and 1,22,742 MT coarse cereals have been procured, the release added.

Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya and Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Gaurishankar Bisen also attended the meeting.