-Canning S Shabong
Organic fruits, vegetables, and grains have several measureable
nutritional benefits over conventional crops, according to a study published in
the British Journal of Nutrition (BJN). Analyzing 343 peer-reviewed publications, researchers from the
United Kingdom with the help of American Charles Benbrook of Washington State
University found that organics contain 18 to 69 percent higher concentrations
of antioxidants.
 |
| An Organic Tea Garden in Ri-Bhoi District (Photo: C.S.Shabong) |
Since
time immemorial, farming in Meghalaya is Organic by tradition and has been practiced by our farmers and the
farming community for ages. Our forefather practice a form of shifting cultivation or slash and burn
agriculture which is commonly called Jhum
cultivation or Rep Shyrti
(in Khasi) and A.ba oa (in Garo). This is one of the most ancient
systems of farming believed to have originated in the Neolithic period around
7000 B C. This practice has an in-built mechanism of sustenance, conservation
and renewable system of resource
management.
The
need to improve and enhance the natural
resource base in a sustainable manner through optimum management, renewing soil nutrients and judicious water
management; has evolved into the concept of Modern Organic farming to scale down the use of chemical
pesticides, chemical fertilisers and the damaging practices that conventional
agriculture has evolved. Such practices would presumably satisfy most concerns
about environmental pollutions, human
health as well as maintenance of ecological
balance and agricultural sustainability.
Traditionally,
the farming communities in Meghalaya were self-sufficient and the villages had
their own community granaries and
seed banks. In conformity with
the observance of International Year of
Family Farming 2014, which recognizes the importance of family farming
in reducing poverty and
improving global food security followed
by the declaration by the United
Nations of the year 2015 as the International Year of Soils, which
states that soils are the foundation of family farming, the Government of
Meghalaya recognizes the importance of family farming by smallholder and family
farmers for sustainable development. The State Government aims to promote new development policies that will help
the smallholder and family farmers eradicate hunger, reduce rural poverty and
continue to play a major role as stewards who manage and protect natural
resources; and as drivers of sustainable development in global food security
through small-scale, sustainable agricultural production.
Since
farming in Meghalaya is basically organic by practice and therefore there is
ample scope for expanding and exploiting the market potential of this sector in the right direction. The Meghalaya
Mission Organic will emphasize on the need to build the entrepreneurial capacity of the farmers of the State towards
achieving business acumen in the
process of organic production and
marketing in a strategic manner. Organic
Certification programme associated with this Mission will help to link
our Organic Products with Organic
Markets at National and International level and standards. This Mission also
aims to generate multiple livelihood
opportunities and employment
avenues through various services and interventions in the State and rural communities in particular.
The Department of Agriculture, Meghalaya has successfully initiated pilots during 2010 which began with Tea and thereafter Cauliflower in Ri-Bhoi and East Khasi Hills district. "MEG" Tea is presently marketed as Organic Certified Tea and is available in three varieties - Green, Oolong and Black Tea. All the organic tea varieties are USDA and NPOP certified, which were certified by M/S Control Union India. In Garo Hills, organic certification of Pineapple and Cashewnut are ongoing and are presently in C1 and C2 stage.
Mission
Organic was launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister incharge Agriculture, Dr.
Mukul Sangma on 10th January 2015 in Ampati, under South West Garo
Hills District. The mission is also being converged with the “Clean and Green
Meghalaya campaign” in order to create awareness about the need for safer food
and thereby contributing to a cleaner environment. The new policy of the State
Government also aims to build brand Organic Meghalaya, which will produce
organic certified food and products, link organic food to eco-tourism, cleaner
and greener environment through lower carbon regime and build consumer awareness
and demand for safe and healthy food.
The Writer works as Agriculture Development
Officer(Information), Directorate of Agriculture and can be reached at
csshabong@gmail.com.
