Looking at the rising demand for organic farm products the world over, Gujarat government today announced subsidy for farmers engaged in this rapidly growing system of agriculture in the state.
Speaking at the Gujarat Foundation Day celebrations in Vyara town of Tapi district, around 300km from here, Chief Minister Anandi Patel said her government has formulated new rules and regulations for organic farming keeping in mind the high demand for such produce.
Subsidy will be given to those engaged in organic agriculture to encourage more peasants to adopt the technique which avoids use of fertilisers, pesticides and relies on crop rotation and green manure, an official press release quoted Patel as saying at the event.
However, the details of quantum of subsidy for organic farming were not given.
Patel advised the gathering, which consisted of local farmers, to adopt new agriculture techniques such as drip irrigation. Small and marginal farmers adopting drip irrigation would be given additional subsidy.
Pending issues related to Ukai Sugar Co-operative Society, which shut down recently, will be resolved soon, Patel said, adding an officer will be appointed to deal with them.
Highlighting the issue of income tax levied on sugar co-operative societies, which have significant presence in South Gujarat, and have suffered heavily due to the charge, Patel said Gujarat government had always opposed this decision taken by the erstwhile UPA administration.
The Narendra Modi Government has already come out with a Bill to make relevant changes in the Income Tax Act. When the Bill is passed in Parliament, sugars societies will get a huge relief, added Patel.
