Assocham predicts over 20 lakh new jobs via organic farming

Assocham has predicted that the promotion of organic farming in Bihar can raise income of farmers and lead to wealth accumulation of over Rs 1,000 crore besides generating exports worth Rs 500 crore. . Talking to reporters, ASSOCHAM Secretary General D S Rawat said organic farming also has the potential to generate over 20 lakh jobs in the state. “Adoption of organic farming can increase net per capita income of the farmer in the state by a whopping 250 per cent to over Rs 4,445 in next five years,” Rawat said. It will also arrest the migration of people from Bihar to other states in search of jobs. At least 35 per cent of cultivable land can be converted into organic farms in next five years, thereby converting seven per cent of cultivable land annually into organic farming, he said. Of the total 135 products in organic product portfolio, India exports 86 products worth 100 million dollars to the global market which currently stands at around 60 billion dollars and is growing by five billion dollars annually. Bihar is an ideal state for organic farming as it is home to unique commodities such as jute, litchi and cosmetic raw materials like herbals, aromatic plants and makhana, besides, the state has the potential of being India’s export hub for certified organic food to different world markets, he said.