Amit Shahs Push for Organic Farming: India Targets 10-Fold Increase in Organic Food Exports

New Delhi, March 13: Cooperation Minister Amit Shah highlighted the significance of promoting organic farming to preserve soil health and announced the government's ambitious goal of increasing organic food exports tenfold to Rs 70,000 crore in the coming years. Shah made these remarks while inaugurating the new office building of three national-level multi-state cooperative societies at the World Trade Centre in Nauroji Nagar.

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Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd, National Cooperative Organics Ltd, and National Cooperative Export Ltd

The three societies inaugurated by Shah include Bhartiya Beej Sahakari Samiti Ltd (BBSSL), National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL), and National Cooperative Export Ltd (NCEL). These societies aim to address gaps in organic products, seed conservation and enhancement, and exports, contributing to the resolution of various challenges in Indian agriculture and boosting farmers' income through increased exports of farm products, including organic foods.

Addressing Global Agricultural Market Share and Soil Health

Shah expressed concern over India's relatively small share of the global agricultural produce market, which stands at USD 45 billion out of a total market worth USD 2,155 billion. He emphasized the government's target of reaching USD 115 billion by 2030. Recognizing the deterioration of soil health due to chemical fertilizer use, Shah stressed the importance of encouraging farmers to adopt organic farming practices.

Organic Farming Promotion and Certification

To support organic farming, Shah announced the establishment of a laboratory in every district over the next five years to certify organic farms and products. He highlighted NCOL's role in promoting organic farming and introducing organic products under the Bharat brand. Shah expressed confidence that Bharat Organics will capture over 50% of the domestic organic market by 2030.

Organic Exports Target and NCOL's Role

Shah acknowledged that India's organic exports currently stand at Rs 7,000 crore, compared to the global organic food market worth Rs 10 lakh crore. He set an ambitious target of increasing organic exports to Rs 70,000 crore, emphasizing the potential for growth in this sector. NCOL will play a crucial role in the entire chain of organic products, including collection, certification, testing, standardization, procurement, storage, processing, branding, labeling, packaging, and export. It will also serve as a guide for many cooperatives.

Targets for BBSSL and NCEL

For BBSSL, the seed society, Shah set a target of Rs 10,000 crore turnover in the next five years. He also announced a target of increasing the turnover of NCEL, the export cooperative society, to Rs 1 lakh crore annually over the next five years. These cooperative societies aim to uplift the lives of individuals associated with agriculture and related activities, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Sahakar se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation).

Cooperative Societies' Formation and Objectives

The three cooperative societies were established with the approval of the government and registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002. Cooperative societies at various levels, from district to state to national, can become members if they are interested in the activities specified for each society.

NCEL was formed to promote exports from the cooperative sector, with member promoters including Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd (KRIBHCO), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED), and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC). NCEL will undertake direct export of goods and services of cooperatives and related entities.

NCOL was established to harness the potential of organic products and create a healthy agriculture ecosystem. It serves as an umbrella organization for the aggregation, procurement, certification, testing, branding, and marketing of organic products in the cooperative sector. NCOL is promoted by NAFED, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), NCDC, GCMMF, and National Cooperative Consumers' Federation (NCCF). NCOL will support the increased production of organic products and facilitate the marketing of authentic and certified organic products by cooperatives and related entities.

BBSSL focuses on advanced and traditional seed research and production, handling their processing and marketing through the cooperative sector. Promoted by IFFCO, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NDDB, and NCDC, BBSSL aims to enhance the production of quality seeds in India, reducing reliance on imported seeds. The society's efforts will contribute to increased agricultural production and improved income for seed-producing farmers.

Strengthening PACS and Ensuring Fair Returns to Farmers

The three societies will work together to uplift the lives of individuals involved in agriculture and related activities. They will procure agricultural produce and seeds from farmers via Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), strengthening PACS and ensuring that farmers receive maximum value for their produce. The societies will operate with the objective of ensuring that profits on the net surplus go directly to farmers' accounts, minimizing leakages in the process.