ABSTRACT
186Organic agriculture offers the most sustainable solution for developing the agricultural sector with least negative impacts on the environment. Eight northeastern states of India (18 lakhs ha of land) can be classified as “Organic by Default” as the crops in these states are grown virtually organic. Scope for organic farming in the hills is high as they are one of the mega biodiversities receiving very high rainfall (2000 to 11000 mm/ annum), leading to profuse production of biomass. The increasing demand for organic food products in the developed countries coupled with its focus on agri-exports are the drivers for the Indian organic food industries. Indigenous turmeric of this region has vast potential for organic production and export quality. Since time immemorial turmeric has been used to cure liver problems, digestive disorders, skin diseases, and wound, with anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. A very popular local variety of turmeric, Lakadong which is grown in Meghalaya, has high curcumin content of 5-5.05% and meets the export standard. A number of local cultivars exist in this region. Organic turmeric is superior to conventional as it contains high oleoresin and curcumin. Farm yard manure (FYM), neem cake, fish meal, rock phosphate, vermicompost, etc., resulted in the control of rhizome rot up to 53% with an increase in yield. Green manuring, mulching, crop rotation, use of biopesticides, and indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) should be used together in a proper balance for maintaining productivity and farmers’ income. However, the main constraints for organic farmers is that they cannot afford to pay the fees required to gain official certification. Identifying certification agency and reduction of certification cost could solve the problem. Thus, this region of the country has potential for organic turmeric production that can meet domestic and international demand for improving livelihood through higher farm income.
