All geared up to take another step forward in organic farming after success of organic wheat, Punjab Government on Tuesday said that it would now start promoting cultivation of organic basmati rice in the State. “After the tremendous success of organic wheat, Punjab Agro is all set for organic basmati in the State,” said Punjab Agro Industrial Corporation’s managing director KS Pannu. After favourable response from the farmers, now basmati would be cultivated in organic farms of various districts, he said. The State Government was committed to encourage farmers for organic farming, and for this purpose, the Government is going to establish an ‘Organic Farming Board’, he said.
Pannu said about 1,000 farmers were associated with Punjab Agro for organic farming. Shops would be allotted in cities and towns to sell organic produce along with milk and milk products, he added.He said making the State Government’s initiative successful, 518 farmers of the state connected with Punjab Agro, undertook organic farming by undergoing three-year grueling process of practicing and adhering to organic standards to qualify for getting their produce certified as organic by SGS limited — an authorised agency of Agriculture Produce Export and Development Agency (APEDA).