Haats a boost for organic farming in Uttarakhand

Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7

The setting up of organic haats (markets) in Dehradun has boosted organic farming in the state.

Most of the farmers who had earlier discontinued cultivation have taken up organic farming. With growing awareness about health benefits of organic vegetables, the demand of organic products has increased.

Biju Singh Negi, a promoter of organic agriculture, appreciated the farmers for taking up organic farming.

Biju had earlier launched the Beej Bachao Andolan in Uttarakhand.

The andolan is a two-decade-old movement that strives to conserve local seed diversity and forests, defending small farmers and promoting traditional agriculture.

“Besides the start of weekly markets of organic produce, a lot needs to be done to make it more organised,” said Biju.

Tikaram Uniyal, an official of the Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board, who has been organising these ‘haats’, said nearly 800 farmers from different villages of Dehradun had taken up organic farming.

He said farmers in Doiwala sold 30 quintals of organic basmati rice to a Delhi-based company recently.

“The organic board team also visits the residences of farmers from time to time to ensure that they produce organic crops,” he said.

“The farmers come to the Survey Chowk Haat every Sunday to sell their produce. On every Thursday, they come to Shastradhara Road,” he added. Ashish Vyas, a farmer from Maldevta, said they were getting good prices for their produce.

“Besides home grown vegetables, and fruits such as malta are also brought to the haat,” said Vyas.

He said the state government was giving subsidy to farmers for constructing polyhouses, which were used by them for the cultivation of organic vegetables.