ORGANIC FARMING         

Identification of 1320 farmers having 1609 acres of farm land in the districts of Kurukshetra, Karnal and Kaithal have been already done in the first phase, who are being assisted to convert to organic farming. The activities taken up by Hafed are as under:

1.   Registered farmers are provided best technological inputs including trainings and farm level advisory services as per NPOP, NOP and EU standards of Organic Farming.

2.   Organic Certification as per International standards is being done to facilitate domestic and export market for the output. An APEDA approved internationally reputed organic certification agency, namely OneCert has been appointed for certification purpose.

3.   Similarly, for providing farmer services, Hafed has tied up with a reputed NGO namely Morarka Foundation, having nation wide presence and wide spread experience on state level organic farming projects.

4.   Marketing tie-ups for the output of organic produce are being done with an aim of providing maximum benefit to farmers.

5.   All expenditure on farmer services, certification procedures, consultancy, etc. is being done by Hafed.

6.   A radio program aired weekly was done recently, wherein various aspects of Organic Farming were promulgated.

7.   Hafed has provided free of cost demonstrations for 50 acres to demonstrate organic farming practices and inputs, with a fund outlay of Rs.3,80,000.

8.   Earth worms to 500 farmers have been given free to enable farmers to start making vermi compost on their fields, amounting to Rs.2,25,000/-

9.   Besides, to develop market for the organic farmers of Haryana, Hafed has initiated marketing of Certified Organic Wheat  and Mustard Oil. More products may be added on.

It is noteworthy here that Organic Farming and demand of Organic Certified consumer products has been rising appreciably in most of the countries and progressive farmers were taking advantage of the same. But many small and marginal farmers, though desirable of adopting organic were held back due to lack of technological awareness, high cost of certification, unavailability of ready market. This effort by Hafed will not only enlighten the farmers in the most appropriate manner, it will also save farmers from substandard inputs. The direct linkage of Organic farm to consumer through an organization like Hafed will not only ensure sustainable options for farming community but will also ensure genuine organic products for consumers at competitive prices. This is first of its kind organized effort to promote organic farming in the state where in farmers would get the benefits of professional and fair linkage, easy market access and environmental  benefits with ‘commitment to go organic’ as the only investment on farmer front.