For Meghalaya to shift to organic farming the State could do away with chemicals and fertilizers in a phased manner.
This was observed by State TMC president, Charles Pyngrope after the State government on August 18 announced its decision to lift restrictions on the use of artificial fertilisers and give farmers a 50 per cent discount on the cost of these.
The Agriculture Department had in June 2014 discontinued a fertiliser subsidy scheme for farmers to encourage farmers to shift to organic farming. However, agricultural organisations have complained that organic farming has not led to many benefits as production dropped by 50 per cent.
According to Pyngrope, shifting to organic farming will take time as soil with take years to revitalise. “During the initial years you cannot do it in one shot you have to do it a manner between the years that comes because there could be a possibility of food shortage or scarcity because the output from a soil that has been starved of fertilizer immediately will have its own repercussions.”
Pyngrope said that he had questioned the government in the Assembly and recalled how Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh was unable to provide adequate information with regards to the status of organic farming in the state.
Opposition leader, Dr Mukul Sangma slammed the State government and said there is lack of planning and understanding on how to roll out organic farming.
He said organic farming is even being promoted by the Prime Minister and it should be appreciated and adopted by everyone.
