Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13 (KNN) With organic food finding a place on the plates of many health conscious people, the State Horticulture Mission of Kerala is planning to bring the entire state under organic farming in a phased manner.

The demand for organic produce is burgeoning in the state, therefore the government has invited organisations and agencies for adoption and certification of organic farming.

The Annual Plan 2013-14 for the state has stipulated Rs 460.45 lakh for the implementation of various schemes under organic farming.  The scheme will be continued in the selected 24 Panchayats during this fiscal.

In addition, on an average 1000 hectares each will be brought under organic farming in each of the 41 Krishi Bhavans in the year 2012-13. 

Meanwhile, the state government has proposed to establish 150 clusters with a contiguous area of 15-25 acres per cluster.  It has figured that division of large plots into clusters would be the best tool for converting the potential area into organic farming villages.   

Further, an amount of Rs 8.75 lakh has been set apart for imparting training, seminars, awareness campaigns, discussions etc.

Large quantities of organic inputs are required to supplement the nutritional requirements of crops.  Assistance would be therefore provided to encourage farmers to use organic and bio-control agents for farming.   (KNN/GUNJ)