The farmers of insurgency-infested Dantewada district in Bastar division have floated their own firm to market and sell organic rice.
Farmers Ratiram, ludhru and Shambunath are not merely farmers but partners in a company 'Bhoomgaadhi'- which makes and sells organic products in all parts of the country, officials informed.
About 1200 farmers engaged in organic farming in Dantewada district produce and market organic products have formed a firm by the name of ' Bhoomgaadhi'.
The organic products brand name is 'Aadim'. The products are sold from Chandigarh-based 'Owera Co-Operative Group' to Kerala -based 'Sangeetha Organics', they informed.
The organic products are purchased from Jodhpur-based 'Banyan Group' to Hyderabad-based 'Sahajahar Group' and other parts of the country.
It may be recalled that prior to three years the farmers of Dantewada used to produce paddy for their own consumption and in present times their products are sold in all the major shopping malls in major towns and cities of the country.
There is a lot of demand for their products and hence the farmers in the region are adopting organic farming on a massive scale. The income of most of the farmers had increased by Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 of each farmer during the past one year alone.
The State Government had been constructing 'Organic products outlets' for their products to boost the sale of products. In the meanwhile, a temporary outlet had been built on Teknaar Road.
It has been inaugurated by progressive farmer Ratiram and Dantewada District Collector Sourabh Kumar. An application had been filed for registration of the company at the Union ministry of Corporate Affairs. The profits will accrue to this company under the Companies Act. The soil of Dantewada is its USP to produce organic rice.
Ashok Badawe Advisor of the Farmer Producer Company's 'Nirmaan Organisation' added that the region's soil is the Unique Selling Point.
Progressive farmer ludhru added that fertilisers and other chemical products are not used and all are organic.
There are 34 varieties of rice sold by the company. This includes traditional varieties of rice-Mehar and Gudma. There is a lot Iron in this rice and the locals treat them as 'Medicinal Rice'.
Other types include -Hardi Ghati, Tooti Safri and Rakhi -Red Rice. Flour, Poha and other items will also be made available. Processing unit will be made available for the 'Bhoomgaadhi' company and godowns are being built to store organic foods. Transport will be made available to the organic products.
'Bhoomgaadhi' — is a tradition and custom of Bastar where the villagers accumulate crops at a spot and celebrate 'Utsav'. The authorities had encouraged the farmers to go in for organic farming on a large -scale. At present 102 Organic groups consisting of 1200 farmers are members -partners of the Company.
A project for organic farming in Dantewada had been drawn for the next three years. The authorities are providing assistance for production, distribution, marketing and procurement. There is a lot of stress on training on organic farming to the farmers. An awareness campaign is launched to make Dantewada district as Organic farming district.
Notably, Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal early this month during his visit to Bastar had issued directives to officials for chalking out a detailed action plan for making Dantewada an 'Organic Farming District' in Bastar.
He had stated that at first, action plan for first three years should be made.
In the district-level review meeting held at conference hall of Jila Panchayat Dantewada on Tuesday night during his visit under lok Suraaj Abhiyan, Agrawal said that action plan should be made based on the geographical conditions, weather and other facts related to organic farming. During the next five years, the entire agricultural area of the district would be covered by organic farming practices.
The Minister said that just like Sikkim, Dantewada will also be converted into an 'Organic District'.
In Sikkim, not only the way of farming is organic but also the works related to animal husbandry and fishery is done in organic manner. Dantewada also has great scope for organic farming, he said.
It requires training of the farmers here at first and then development of market for the products made by them, the Minister said.
Agrawal said that there are certain organisations that are working for training farmers in organic farming and marketing their products at a good price. These organizations may help in implementation of the action plan. Besides organic farming, promotion of fruit and vegetable cultivation is also necessary and Horticulture has important part to play in promoting this kind of cultivation.
He directed Irrigation Department officials to ensure renovation and repair of irrigation infrastructure in the district before arrival of monsoon. The Minister had also directed officials concerned to ensure availability of basic facilities like drinking water and power supply.
District Collector Saurabh Kumar informed in the meeting about the steps being taken for promoting organic farming in the district.
He said that an action plan has already been made for this purpose.