Sustainable agriculture: Meghalaya leads organic farming initiatives in NE

Shillong: Renowned for its verdant landscapes and rich biodiversity, Meghalaya is emerging as a key hub for organic farming in the country. The hill state has embarked on various initiatives aimed at transforming agricultural practices and promoting sustainable livelihoods for its farmers. “The state has been diligently implementing various schemes initiated by both the central and state govts to encourage the conversion of agricultural land into certified organic holdings. Notable among these initiatives is the Meghalaya Organic Value Chain Development for Northeastern Region (MOVCDNER) scheme and the State Organic Mission, which has the ambitious objective of converting and sustaining one lakh hectares of land into certified organic farms,” says an official statement.

“At present, 24,000 hectares of land have achieved organic certification, while an additional 8,000 hectares are in the conversion phase,” the statement lists. To further support and consolidate these efforts, the cabinet approved the Meghalaya State Organic and Natural Farming Policy on January 11, 2023. The policy outlines key objectives, including promoting organic farming as a sustainable income-generating activity for farmers, facilitating capacity building, investment, and technology development, and increasing farmers’ income through training, value addition, and market linkage. “To drive the effective implementation of this policy, the Meghalaya Natural and Organic Society for Livelihood and Innovation in Agriculture (MEGNOLIA) was established on June 1, 2023. It functions as the apex body under the state department of agriculture and farmers’ welfare, responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and executing the Organic and Natural Farming Policy,” the release highlights. “MEGNOLIA’s primary goals include managing the implementation of the policy, supporting Farmer Producer Organizations and Farmer Producer Companies to professionalise organic production and marketing, promoting agro-industrial growth rooted in ecological sustainability, facilitating technology transfer, and fostering knowledge sharing among stakeholders,” it says. “Meghalaya now has its own Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)-certified organic certification agency, the Meghalaya State Organic Certification Body, under the planning department. This makes it only the second such agency in the Northeast, following the Sikkim State Organic Certification Agency,” the release reads.

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