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

“Just like Green Revolution”

Mr. Burdak said the organic farming culture gaining ground in the desert State was 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

The Minister said the “organic revolution” was visible in the production of pulses in the State, which had touched 32.33 lakh tonnes this year, registering a four-fold increase in comparison to the previous year's 7.20 lakh tonnes. In addition to organic agriculture, adoption of modern farm techniques had led to the overall impressive growth, he added. He also attributed the success to the policies of the State Agriculture Ministry.

Principal Horticulture Secretary Dinesh Goyal said organic farming in Rajasthan offered tremendous possibilities of growth to agriculturists. It will also protect the farm produces against harmful impacts of chemical fertilisers, he pointed out. Mr. Goyal also appreciated the efforts of the Morarka Foundation, the organic food exporting private company behind it.

Representatives of the Foundation said they would be exporting 65 containers weighing 23 tonnes each to the U.S. this year. Five containers are to be sent abroad in the first phase. The company has set the target for exporting 300 containers next year. It has reportedly roped in nearly 70,000 farmers to join its organic agriculture activities in Jaipur, Jhalawar, Pali, Sirohi, Barmer and Jhunjhunu districts.

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 plans to spread the high-technique farming to new areas in other districts as well.

Pulses to be exported as they are in great demand in U.S. and Rajasthan has high yield

To start with, 65 containers weighing 23 tonnes to be sent this year