Three-day fair in Salt Lake to showcase organic products

"The state government has identified 120 clusters across the state under which more than 7,500 farmers have been involved in the production of organic vegetables. The farmers who have worked in this area have got assistance under the "Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana" (PKVY) — a scheme under which farming is promoted through adoption of organic village by the cluster approach and PGS certification. Our aim is to enable people of the state to have organic products at a reasonable rate. The most important part in this venture has been the motivation of farmers in the state to adopt organic farming and the Bengal government has been successfully able to do the same," said Mannu Chowdhary, Managing Director of POFIL.

Apart from a plethora of organic vegetables and fruits, the special attraction will be two varieties of mangoes — Amrapali and Mallika from Bankura and also export quality watermelons from Bankura. The Himsagar and Langda varieties of mango from Malda will also make it to the three-day carnival along with organic tea from Darjeeling and three varieties of rice — Tulaipanji, Gobindobhog and Black Rice.

The state government is laying a lot of emphasis on production of organic vegetables as various studies have highlighted excessive use of pesticides in normal ones. The state is also holding two markets of organic vegetables — one at Bidhan Sishu Udyan in Ultadanga and another at Baguiati weekly.

"We are processing the products in a scientific manner and packaging it mentioning the name of the farmer who has produced that particular vegetable so that customers can have a direct link with the farmer. A number of farmers will also be present at the carnival," Chowdhary added. Organic products from Uttar Pradesh will also be a part of the event.