With renewed international attention to the quality and processes of agricultural production, especially in organic farming, creating an environment conducive for growth and marketing of organic agri-business products is a priority for most state governments.
To extend this into Jharkhand and work out ways of collaboration between state government agencies, technical input providers, investors, cultivators and exporters, a summit titled ‘Jharkhand as Organic Hub in International Market’ was held in the state capital under the aegis of the state department of Agriculture and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industries of India (Assocham).
The summit was inaugurated by Governor Syed Ahmed in the presence of Industry Secretary K.P.Singh, Agriculture Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni, Jharcraft Managing Director Dhirendra Kumar, Director Agriculture K.K. Soan and Director Horticulture Mission Dr. Prabhakar Singh. Assocham’s national Secretary-General D.S. Rawat and Regional Director (Jharkhand) Eqbal Siddique were also present, along with some 150 investors, exporters and cultivators.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor reiterated the significance of organic products as an emerging sector and its immense potential in the international markets. He underlined that India ranks 33 in the world in land under organic cultivation, and produces around 3.88 million metric-tonnes (MT) of certified organic products such as Basmati rice, tea, Honey, spices, coffee, oilseeds, fruits, cereals, processed food, herbal medicines and silk. Of this, 69837 MT was exported in 2010-11, a 33 per cent growth over the previous year.
Dr. Ahmed also underlined the fact that the state is naturally blessed with perfect agro-climatic conditions for commercial organic cultivation of a large variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers and medicinal and aromatic plants. “The government is working to implement various schemes for promoting this sector with thrust on bringing more land under cultivation, enhancing productivity, qualitative improvements and encouraging exports of organic herbs and agricultural produce,” he stated.
The Government officials present showed optimism about organic farming as a viable sector and highlighted policies and reforms aimed at “promoting expansion and transformation of organic markets and facilitating organic productivity.” Also discussed was the government’s role in setting and enforcing standards for responsible food production, facilitating access to agricultural inputs and markets, regulating and promoting sectoral competition, supporting greater inclusion of small-holders and rural workers, etc. They also admitted to glitches like lack of information about international certifications and quality standards; but stressed that existing and potential exporters, growers and manufactures should know about recent developments and improvements in the state to speed-up industrial growth.
Also highlighted were the state’s beneficial aspects in this sector—availability of cultivable land, capital investment subsidies, tax concessions and holidays, an agri-export zone for vegetables and fruits at Ranchi linked with major production centres in Hazaribagh, lohardaga and Ranchi districts, technical knowledge back-up from Birsa Agricultural University and ICAR, Plandu, vast network of Rural haats, and rich wealth of herbal and medicinal plants. Joint-venture possibilities with the state Agricultural marketing board and department of industries were also discussed.
Jharcraft’s success in organic silk production and getting international certification from Onecert USA was cited as an example for the sector and deliberations focussed on ways to replicate this success in other fields of organic production as well.
On its part, Assocham put forward three basic demands from the government. “First, a separate agri-industrial incentive policy for agriculture and food-processing industry that also covers Horticulture and Sericulture. Secondly, thorough and efficient implementation and monitoring of policies. In this regard, we are open to the work being outsourced and Assocham is ready to give the required sectoral inputs if needed. Third, we requested that a single-window system should be implemented for obtaining government clearances before setting up industrial units; as this will save investors and industrialists a lot of time and manpower that is otherwise expended in running from one department to another to obtain clearances,” said Eqbal Siddique, Assocham’s Regional Director.
Siddique also reiterated the trade body’s commitment to fostering growth of organic products in Jharkhand. “Assocham is also a knowledge chamber with a research and development department working on improving organic production. We are open to sharing this expertise with interested entrepreneurs, cultivators, agricultural universities and other government institutions to generate awareness about this fast-growing sector and encourage investments in it,” he stated.