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Title: Need to start National Centre for Organic Farming in Kerala.
SHRI P.C. THOMAS (MUVATTUPUZHA): Sir, organic farming is something which is being encouraged. But there is no national institute or a national centre which can provide for helping the farmers, giving inputs as well as giving the technical aid. There should be some kind of standards also to be fixed. These are all the things which can be fixed, if there is a national centre or a national institute.
I would suggest that in Kerala, where organic farming has been given a lot of thrust, a national centre can be thought of in Kerla. The Government of Kerala has requested that a centre of that nature can be put up in Kerala. I would submit that if it is possible to think of a national institute in any part of India, preferably in Kerala, say, Cochin or anywhere, I would urge upon the hon. Minister to consider this request and take some immediate action in this regard.
Sir, the Swaminathan Commission report has also given a thrust on this matter. I am sure, the whole report will take a lot of time, but a very important aspect such as this can be given a special importance. I would also like to submit that the farmers who are in doldrums can also be helped by this because they can fetch better money for their produce and consumers also will be helped by the organic farming and produce.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Madhusudan Mistry. You have to satisfy me that it is a Central subject.