Stiglitz all praise for organic farming in Bihar
15 Jan 2013
Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz was all praise for organic farming being undertaken in Nalanda district in Bihar.
Urging international agriculture scientists to visit the farms in Bihar, Stiglitz said Indian farmers were better than some scientists.
The professor of economics at Columbia University is in Bihar to deliver the Asian Development Research Foundation lecture. During his four-day visit to Bihar, he has been traversing across various districts, including places affected by Naxalism.
Organic farming is part of the strategy unveiled by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar as part of his attempt to bring about a green revolution in his state.
The state government launched its organic farming promotion programme about two years ago. It decided to develop 38 organic villages at a cost of Rs255 crore and entrusted agencies including the National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) to issue organic certificates to growers of organic vegetables and fruits.
The government is also giving farmers 50 per cent subsidy for production of wormy compost, a natural fertiliser. The government hopes to supply organic vegetables and fruits all over India, besides even exporting them.