4 days ago
Haryana charts green path: Markets with organic produce soon
Gurgaon: The city, along with Hisar, will soon have a dedicated organic produce market. The new initiative will see the city hosting a specialised market focusing on organically produced staples, including wheat, rice and pulses.
Hisar will feature a dedicated market for organic fruits and vegetables, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for natural and organic produce in the state.
A key highlight of the announcement includes financial assistance of Rs 20,000 per farmer for branding and packaging of natural farming products. The govt will also establish testing laboratories offering free services to farmers to ensure quality control of organic produce.
The move aims to encourage more farmers to adopt organic farming methods. The announcement, aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture, came during a World Environment Day programme on Thursday, even as Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini spoke about the state govt's "commitment to eco-friendly farming practices".
Saini said, "To ensure fair pricing, a dedicated committee will be formed under the Haryana Farmers' Welfare Authority to determine the rates for natural and organic produce."
The scheme is expected to provide organic farmers with direct access to consumers and create a structured marketplace for chemical-free agricultural products. A senior govt official said, "The establishment of these specialised markets is part of govt's broader vision of promoting sustainable agricultural practices and addressing growing consumer demand for organic products."
The govt has also introduced measures to support landless farmers. In Kaithal district's Pundri block, 53 acres of agricultural department land will be leased through auction to farmers practising natural farming. Additionally, each village will reserve 10% of panchayat land (or a minimum of one acre) exclusively for natural farming by landless farmers.
The govt will also provide financial incentives, including Rs 3,000 per farmer for purchasing storage equipment and a substantial subsidy of Rs 30,000 for native cow purchase, supporting the natural farming ecosystem.
