1. Organic Farming Anand Pattern in Organic Farming "Putting the tools of development in the hands of farmers"

2. Plan of Presentation What is Organic Farming? Status in India, NER Main learnings from NER Obejctives of OF scheme Implementation Strategy Implementation Components - I, II, III Organisational Aspects Coordination issues and Benefits

3. What is Organic Farming? Avoids synthetic inputs; incorporates technology with natural processes; integrates animal husbandry; and mobilises soil nutrients and nature-based protection In India including NER, small holdings imply closeness to sustainable farming except access to broader markets Currently, 4.72 mha certified incl. 0.6 mha cultivated 135 varieties exported Rs3300 cr; domestic Rs600 cr. 85000 ha in NER led Sikkim 75%, Naga 14%, Megh 6%

4. Main learnings from NER Small holdings generally Quality inputs not available Technologies for production, pest control Aggregation costs for distributed small growers Market access, limited value added facilities Certification complexities

5. Objectives of OF scheme Mission approach; end to end Address risks of climate, production, disease, market Environmentally sustainable production Conveniently marketable volumes Farmer controlled valued-added production centres

6. Implementation Strategy Contiguous clusters on microwatershed basis Women farmer focus relevant to NER, Prefer SHG covered areas Village as operating unit to Federation marketing Anand pattern of trickle to flood Integrating technology & local knowledge - farmer-led Focusing scientists for solutions based on local materials Continuous assessment of soils; bio-inputs support Hand-holding in management; subsidies as revolving funds - no personal freebies; investment is for improving land productivity and farmer effectiveness.

7. Principal Components - I Baseline survey, PRA of farmers, Resource appraisal Soil analysis: 5 items, 13 items, microbial, SH cards issue Cluster of microwatershed 10-15 ha/ 25 farmers, Group saves for mutual credit as in SHG Council of Clusters coterminous to village - 50-150 ha District Federation of Clusters; 50-200 Councils (2500- 10000 ha) eventually, less as it grows. Support agencies, resource agencies help district units set up incl. agronomic packages

8. Principal Components - II Integrated farming systems; focus on 2-4 commercial crops plus multi/inter/mixed cropping, Animal Husbandry Farm-level systems conducive to Organic certification State-level biofertiliser, biopesticide production supplements Revolving funds for inputs, animal husbandry with Council Pilots possible for vermicompost - homestead and community or other innovation Capacity building: TOT, trainers, farmer trainers, materials; local language Convergence of schemes for NRLM, OF, watershed development, soil testing

9. Principal Components - III Service Centres for equipment hiring at Council, Federation Village council collection, aggregation, washing, grading including for storage as may be required. Federation level value addition and packing facility with phasing-out of management support, produce collection crates Internal Control Systems geared to certification Exposure visits, seminars etc

10. Organisational Aspects National: Director and YP, sub staff Region: Integrate PMUs of NERCORMP, NERLP with PMU for OF under overall Director, LP and supervision of NEC and DoNER State: State level Society set up under MOU, Training, Funds, Support Orgns District: Manager, Staff under Federation including some costs of processing, testing, outsourced testing. Activities of area selection, organisation, training, PRA, surveys, soil testing and support with sector professionals; convergence. Arbitration by district Committee headed by Dy Commissioner Village Council: Secretary part paid; Cluster head honorarium for documents

11. Coordination Issues Bringing Livelihood schemes together Uncertainty in elements, hence in costs (vermicompost, SHG savings may speed fund rotation); Expect total project investment at Rs 18,000 per ha Timeliness of convergence will add costs (soil tests, OF, bio-input production, needs for animal husbandry) but may be small Availability of seeds will require initial multiplication; hence delay Ethnic disputes may affect supra Council solidarity Need for mid-term reviews of components and re-strategising Contribution by farmers, specific areas by State Govt, rest 100% programme

12. Benefits of Programme Increase in Organic production of commercial crops Increase in area under commercial organic production Greater income realisation by farmers Farmer led process - less Government, little/no subsidy; focus on community building with community level revolving fund Women empowerment and capacity building Increased exports, domestic markets of quality value added products

13. Thanks