Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 06: The Department of Agriculture in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is leading a transformative initiative to significantly reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, advocating for a shift towards organic farming practices. This movement, driven by environmental concerns and the health benefits associated with organic produce, has gained momentum over the past decade.
The journey began in 2003 when the Departmental Horticulture Farm Sippighat was designated as an Organic Horticulture Farm. This model farm was established to inspire local farmers to adopt organic farming methods. The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) further supported this transition by facilitating the construction of 1,930 Vermi-Compost Units from 2010 to 2014, providing farmers with essential tools for organic cultivation.
In February 2015, an ambitious mission for organic vegetable cultivation was launched in Shaheed Dweep. This initiative aimed not only to promote sustainable agricultural practices but also to ensure that farmers receive premium prices for their organic produce. During this mission period (2014-2017), various organic inputs were supplied to farmers, enhancing their capacity to engage in organic farming.
Recognizing the potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for organic agriculture, the Government of India announced in 2017 its intention to convert all agricultural land in the territory to organic status. A pivotal meeting on “Organic Farming in A & N Islands” was held on February 15, 2018, under the leadership of Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh. This meeting focused on a phased approach to transitioning the entire territory to organic farming.
Thereafter, a meeting under the Chairmanship of Agriculture Minister was held on 08.03.2018 regarding an action plan for 100% coverage under organic farming in all UTs of the country.
In a landmark decision, a uniform ban on the sale, entry, and storage of all agrochemicals was imposed in Car Nicobar and Nancowrie group of Islands in January 2021. This bold move aims to declare these islands agrochemical-free. An Expert Committee subsequently certified approximately 14,491 hectares of land in these Islands as organic. Later, Government of India on 23 April, 2021 certified these Islands as completely organic areas. Subsequently, on August 22, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare referenced A & N Islands as an example for integrating large contiguous traditional farming areas into organic practices, encouraging other States to follow suit. In line with this initiative, the Government of India requested baseline data on farmers practicing natural farming, reflecting its commitment to promoting both natural and organic farming methods.
To further promote organic farming, regular training programs and demonstrations have been conducted since 2015-16. Recently, 253 method demonstrations on the preparation of ‘Jeevamrit’ and ‘Neemastra’ were held across farmers’ fields.
On August 13, 2024, a State Level Workshop-cum-Seminar titled “Scope and Challenges of Natural Farming in A & N Islands” was organized by the Department of Agriculture. The event brought together officials from various Departments, scientists from ICAR-CIARI & KVKs, and progressive farmers from South Andaman Zone to discuss strategies for advancing natural farming practices.
With these initiatives, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are poised to become a model for sustainable agriculture, ensuring a healthier ecosystem for both farmers and consumers alike. These initiatives by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration are fully aligned with the Honorable Prime Minister’s emphasis on natural farming through the National Mission on Natural Farming.
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