Punjab fails to frame policy for organic cotton cultivation
BATHINDA: Punjab lacks a policy to promote organic cotton cultivation even as farmers associated voluntarily with it see viability of chemical-free production of the cash crop.
Farm experts say cotton crop is considered the largest consumer of pesticides and insecticides and Punjab can reduce its chemical load with a dedicated policy on organic farming.
Since the chemical-free fields have lesser irrigation requirements, organic farming of cotton can pay dividends in the long term, they say.
Jaitu-based Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM), an accredited agency to provide certification to organic growers, has roped in 55 farmers from various districts to opt for organic cultivation of cotton. “Since 2019, we have brought about 100 acres, against
Punjab’s 3.25 lakh hectare area this kharif season, under organic cotton. Biggest challenge in organic farming is that a farmer has to keep his field free from any chemical use for three years. The government should frame a policy to grant financial incentive to such farmers for three years,” said KVM executive director Umendra Dutt.
He said organic farming is the key for Punjab to reduce pesticide footprint in the agriculture sector. Groundwater table has been depleting due to injudicious extraction of the natural resource and chemical-free farming is needed to meet futuristic needs.
SK Verma, head of Sirsa-based Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), said non-allergic and toxin-free dyes are a new natural way of clothing. “Like food products, organic fabric has a vast market. People like a natural way of clothing that is free from chemicals to avoid allergies. The CICR has a bank of traditional seeds that are provided to farmers to boost organic farming, but Punjab is lagging behind in the initiative,” he said.
Punjab agriculture minister Randeep Singh Nabha admits that the state needs to think and explore ways to promote organic cultivation of cotton.
“Since 2015, cotton it has faced two major pest attacks that crashed the rural economy. We should study models of other states in this direction,” he added.