Organic farming takes baby steps in south Gujarat

SURAT: A jumbo Kesar mango grown at an organic farm weighs 500 grams. Pravin Desai, a progressive farmer in Valod of Tapi district has 2,000 trees that have produced 14,000 kg this year. While the organic produce is superior in quality, its high price keeps consumers away.
A normal Kesar mango in comparison weighs only 300 grams. It sells for Rs 30 per kg while the rate of organic one is just the double.
Programme coordinator at Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Navsari Agriculture University (NAU) at Surat J J Pastagiya told TOI, “There is lack of awareness among the common mass about organic produce. People are also not convinced what they purchase is being produced organically. The link between producer and consumer is missing.”
Desai has a farm with more than 7,500 organic plants of different fruits on 60 bighas. He said, “People do appreciate our produce but when it comes to consuming it, not many go for it. May be they don’t get much variety.”
At present, just one percent of total land in South Gujarat is under organic cultivation. In Surat district out of 90,000 hectares under sugarcane cultivation, just 1,000 hectares is covered by organic farming. Experiments are also being done to produce organic fruits and vegetables.
“The major reason for people not taking up organic farming in a big way is lack of incentive. It is more laborious and there is no way to deal with mal formation in plant. In regular farming, chemical treatment of the plant is possible,” Desai.
Meanwhile, with the state government starting to take steps to promote organic farming, at least 100 farmers of south Gujarat with assistance from Krishi Vigyan Kendra have started an organic farmers’ group. The group meets every Saturday to discuss issues related to organic farming. The number of those attending the meetings is gradually swelling.