Encouraging farmers to go organic, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a special campaign in 11 districts where farmers will be encouraged to go for organic farming on both banks of the river Ganga. If the effort yields the desired results, not only will the cost of farming be reduced but agricultural production and income of farmers will also increase.
“Under this project, 21,142 farmers of 11 districts located along the river Ganga have formed 700 organic clusters in an area of 14,000 hectares. These farmers have grown various crops through organic farming methods in the Kharif 2020 and Rabi 2020-21 seasons. After processing the produce, they were packed and sold at higher prices. These products were displayed in the stalls of fairs, exhibitions and seminars organised on various occasions. Farmers have so far sold organic products worth Rs 2.76 crore under this project,” a senior government official said.
The official further said that along with increasing organic farming in UP, the government had initiated numerous steps for the welfare of farmers. Not only this, keeping the interests of the farmers of the state paramount, they were also given a big opportunity to grow profitable crops, he added.
“In view of the benefits being given to the farmers of the state, the government is going to start the second phase of this project soon. Of the total project cost of Rs 71.40 crore, an amount of Rs 21.05 crore has been spent," he said.