Market outlet for organic produce, demand by Surathkal organic farmers

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 26, 2017: Speaking at ‘Mevu Kshe-throtsava’ organised by agriculture department at the field at Kullangalu in Soorinje, the farmers said they have adopted organic farming for sustainable development. However, the produce lacks marketing facilities, they regretted. Organic farmers of Surathkal hobli, coming under Subhiksha Savayava Krishikara Sangha, have demanded marketing for organic farm produce. The Sangha, under Savayava Bhagya Yojane of the State government, comprises 81 farmers at Soorinje and Chelyaru villages in Surathkal.

An organic woman farmer, said, “The employment in farming sector is permanent. Without proper marketing of the produce, we have not been able to reap success. Growing the agriculture produce organically for the last three years,  cultivating paddy, papaya, pineapple, brinjal, long yard beans and other crops. Last year, I could get only Rs 15 per kg of pineapple. But the shopkeeper sold it for Rs 25 per kg.” She also urged the officials to help the farmers in arresting peacock menace. The peacocks are damaging crops in the region, she added.

Livelihood :  An organic farmer, said, “The farmers can never incur loss in agriculture. The land where we sow will ensure that we earn our livelihood. Organic farming was the order of the day in the past. Over a period of time, farmers switched to chemical fertilisers to increase yield, which in turn affected the fertility of the soil. There is no outlet for the organically cultivated produce here in Surathkal. We have to go all the way to Mangaluru to sell the produce.”

Surathkal veterinary hospital assistant director Dr Suresh called upon farmers to move towards nature and thereby increase the fertility of the soil. Rural Development Organisation Trust, Doddaballapur, implementing agency of Savayava Bhagya Yojane field officer Ashalatha Suvarna said 100 hectares of land in four villages of Surathkal hobli --- Chelyaru, Madya, Soorinje and Delanthabettu --- are into organic farming since the inception of Savaya Bhagya Yojane.

The government had released a grant of Rs 13 lakh under the scheme to Sangha for its activities. Out of 81 farmers, 54 farmers have received certification from the department for their organic produce, Ashalatha added. Assistant agriculture officer Abdul Basheer, agriculture department deputy director Dr Mune Gowda and others were present. Organic farmers Chandrashekar Shetty, Vidya Shetty and Dayanand Banjan were felicitated on the occasion.