Shimla, August 28, 2015: Organic fair and Food Festival would be organized by the Agriculture department in collaboration with International Centre for Organic Agriculture, HP Tourism Development Corporation, NABARD and Farm Technocrat Forum from 7th to 9th September , 2015 at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, The Mall, Shimla.
A spokesman of the department informed here today that the event would include organic food court by HPTDC, which would serve and display organic food and products. 600 farmers are expected to visit the fair for a workshop and seminar. National and International companies engaged in marketing of organic produce, organic certification, organic inputs would also be putting up the stalls.
He said that a panel discussion and a workshop on Himachal Pradesh potential in organic farming would take place during the event. He added that the Agriculture University, Palampur would be putting up a stall highlighting research and development in organic agriculture.
Spokesman told that the Agriculture Department would also conduct exposure visits of the farmers to this fair in order to acquaint them with this niche areas and organic farmer groups would exhibit their products. He said that 30,110 farmers have been registered for organic farming in the State with an area of 17848 hectares. He said that to increase production of vermi compost 1.5 lakh vermicompost units have been set up in the State. He said that to boost vermi culture in the State the government was providing 50 percent assistance. He said that 20 vermi hatcheries, five bio fertilizer unit and 29 organic fertilizers and marketing units have been registered in the State.
He further said that the State Government has implemented various schemes to create awareness regarding organic farming and their adoption amongst farmers for providing chemical free food to the people.