6.31L organic farmers enrolled; Germany to invest 20M Euros for setting up IGGARL: Jagan

Amaravati: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said the German government has agreed to fund Indo-German Global Centre for Agro-Ecology Research and Learning (IGGARL) in Andhra Pradesh.

"After seeing the efforts of Andhra Pradesh in natural farming, the German government has agreed to fund Indo-German Global Centre for Agro-Ecology Research and Learning (IGGARL). The project is in the final approval stage. The German government has agreed in principle to provide a grant of 20 million Euros over five years. Together we have committed to set up a world-class agroecological research and learning center which would produce graduates and postgraduates to integrate scientific knowledge with natural farming," he said.

Jagan was addressing NITI Aayog's virtual meet on natural farming on Monday. He said Andhra Pradesh has enrolled 6.31 lakh farmers who are using natural farming techniques over 2.9 lakh hectares of land.

He said these initiatives are being implemented through 3009 Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) in the state. There are 10778 RBKs in the state

More funding for states with more natural farming areas

"States having larger areas under natural farming should be given higher weightage in finance commission recommendations. They are helping the country with climate change mitigation and carbon neutrality goals. Further, the syllabus in agriculture universities should include natural/organic farming in the curriculum. There is a need for systematic research for natural farming," said Jagan.

He also noted that funding for state governments transmitting into natural farming should be liberal and norms should be different. "At present, centrally sponsored schemes are at 60-40 ratio, but I strongly recommend that it should be 90-10 at least, '' he said.

State's initiatives

The Chief Minister added that after the Green Revolution in the last few decades there has been a quantitative increase in the production of food grains but now there is a need for qualitative measurement to keep society healthy by reducing the usage of synthetic chemicals in agriculture.

He noted that Rythu Bharosa Kendra (RBK) is a one-stop destination for the farmers for all the Agri-related queries, procurement, e-crop booking, and so on. "Active involvement of farmers in the government programmes is further facilitated by setting up agri-advisory boards at RBK, Mandal, and District levels. 80,359 progressive and experienced farmers were made members of the advisory board," he said.

"To meet the input production cost of the farmers, the government has been giving Rs 13,500 via YSR Rythu Bharosa/PM-Kisan by covering 50-80% of the production cost for almost 80% of the crops of marginal farmers," Jagan added.

Need for national policy

The CM noted that it would take 3-5 years for farmers to follow the natural farming methods. He emphasized the need for a national policy on natural farming to ensure that more incentives are given to the farmers, thus facilitating their gradual and smooth transition.

"Conversion of farmers who are practicing chemical agriculture for the past 30-50 years to natural farming is not an easy task. At the same time, we have convinced the farmers that it is an important transformation in agriculture, and it should be done in a phased manner. It is also voluntary," the CM said.

The state government has also set up a separate department for natural farming under the agriculture department.

Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog said, "The state is already practicing natural farming to a great extent. I have visited the RBKs which are largely aiding the farmers. I am glad that Germany is ready to invest 20 million Euros in the state for the development of farming. I am sure that Andhra Pradesh will lead the natural farming revolution in the country."