Organic orientation held for South farmers

An orientation programme on Organic Farming Systems, organized by Horticulture and Agriculture Departments, was held at the Community Hall, Namchi, on Friday, 28 November. Mrs. Tika Maya Chamling was present as the chief guest for the programme attended by 480 farmers from the South District.
Mrs. Chamling spoke about the advantages of Organic Farming and shared tips on organic farming techniques with the farmers. She emphasized the need for farmers to be well informed about the use of organic fertilizers and also informed the participants about the latest initiative of the State Government to provide one-time compensation to farmers who face crop failure. Underling the need for effective marketing mechanism to promote local organic products, she urged eco-tourism stakeholders to endorse Organic Farming by using only local organic products in their home stay and other village tourism businesses.
During the programme, Secretary of Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department Khorlo Bhutia informed about the recent Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly to regulate sale, distribution and use of inorganic agricultural inputs and livestock feed to prevent risk to human beings or animals and environment. He informed that the Kisaan Bazaar located in Namchi will soon be functional and that the farmers can sell their organic produce in the bazaar without any hindrance.