Rajasthan’s First-ever Export of Certified Organic Food to the US flagged off

Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Harjiram Burdak on 11 August 2011 flagged off the first-ever consignment of certified organic food to be exported from Rajasthan to the United States. The organic food comprised mainly conventional pulses for which there is a heavy demand in the U.S. The pulses were produced from the processing unit of the Morarka Organic Foods in Sitapura Industrial Area.

Organic farming culture gaining ground in Rajasthan is deemed to be as significant as Harit Kranti (Green Revolution) introduced in 1965 by the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, as a result of which the wheat imports from the U.S. had stopped.

Organic revolution in Rajasthan manifested itself in the production of pulses in the State which had touched 32.33 lakh tonnes in 2011, registering a four-fold increase in comparison to the 7.20 lakh tonnes produced in 2010. In addition to organic agriculture, adoption of modern farm techniques had led to the overall impressive growth. He also attributed the success to the policies of the State Agriculture Ministry.

According to principal horticulture secretary Dinesh Goyal organic farming in Rajasthan offered tremendous possibilities of growth to agriculturists. Organic farming will also help to protect the farm produces against harmful impacts of chemical fertilisers, he pointed out. Goyal also appreciated the efforts of the Morarka Foundation, the organic food exporting private company behind it.

The Morarka Foundation has been engaged in organic farming in Rajasthan's Nawalgarh area since 1993 along with activities in health, education, women self-help groups and waste water management. It roped in 70000 farmers to join its organic agriculture activities in Jaipur, Jhalawar, Pali, Sirohi, Barmer and Jhunjhunu districts. The Foundation is to export 65 containers weighing 23 tonnes each to the U.S. this year.