Organic farmers’ federation launched in Erode

An organic farmers’ federation has been launched in Erode district through a joint initiative of the Agriculture Department, the MYRADA Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Gobichettipalayam, and the Cooperative Department, following the efforts of Collector S. Kandasamy.
The first meeting of the federation was presided over by Joint Director of Agriculture Sivakumar. MYRADA head Dr. Alagesan, Agriculture Personal Assistant to the Collector Loganathan, Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies Kandaraj and other officials participated in the meeting.
Around 160 farmers have joined the federation so far, and the membership is expected to increase. Farmers raised issues concerning marketing, certification, access to organic inputs and irrigation water.
Mr. Sivakumar said efforts would be made to allot shops in Uzhavar Sandhais across the State for the sale of organic farm produce. The Agriculture Department would also inform members about the schedule for the mobile soil-testing laboratory to visit their villages.
With the support of the Cooperative Department, steps would be taken to improve marketing facilities and develop a common brand name for organic products. The ISCOP centre at Arachalur would assist farmers in obtaining organic certification, he said.
Farmers sought the supply of organic inputs such as Pseudomonas at subsidised rates and simplification of Central and State procedures for organic certification. They called for a separate application process for certification and suggested that the certification fee be limited to ₹500 for farmers selling their produce locally, as most did not export their products.
The farmers also urged the government to ensure access to unpolluted irrigation water. They alleged that the discharge of sewage by the Gobi and Sathyamangalam municipalities into the Thadapalli–Arakkankottai canal and the Bhavani river in certain stretches affected their efforts to obtain organic certification.
They further pointed out that cooperative banks insisted on the purchase of chemical fertilisers while sanctioning agricultural loans and sought relaxation of the condition for farmers practising organic agriculture.
The farmers also called for subsidies, farm implements and inputs to reach genuine cultivators. They alleged that some farmers were forced to pay ₹30 to ₹50 to sell their produce at shandies and sought an end to such unauthorised collections.
They recalled that an organic farm-produce market had been organised for a day at VOC Park in Erode two years ago but had not continued. They urged the authorities to establish a regular and reliable marketing system for organic products.
An exhibition of organic farm produce was also organised at the Collectorate in connection with the meeting.