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July 10, 2010
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India's organic farming area grows to 1.05 million hectares
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India's organic farming land has risen to 1.05 million hectares in the last six years, the Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said on Wednesday (July 7).
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"In India, as against 42,000 hectares under certified organic farming during 2003 to 2004, initial estimates for 2009 to 2010 indicate that organic agriculture under certification has grown to 10.5 lakh hectares", Pawar said in an address to Parliamentary Consultative Committee.
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Out of the 10.5 lakh hectares, nearly 7.5 lakh hectares are fully certified while remaining three lakh hectares are under various stages of conversion, he said.
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Pawar added that Indian organic agriculture had reached a stage where it could play a significant role not only in the growing domestic market but also in global organic food trade.
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The minister informed that the Agriculture Ministry is promoting organic farming in the country through various schemes such as National Project on Organic Farming, National Horticulture Mission and technology mission for North East and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
