Rural India is the Real India: Says Manoj Kumar Menon, Executive Director of ICCOA at KJ Chaupal

During the latest KJ Chaupal, Manoj Kumar Menon and Rohitashwa Gakhar emphasized the crucial role of organic agriculture and agribusiness in India. Menon, who is the Executive Director of the International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA), and Gakhar, who is the Director of Operations, discussed the current state of organic agriculture and its importance in promoting sustainable agriculture systems and businesses.

According to Gakhar, ICCOA's primary objective is to promote organic farming throughout India. Since 2004, the organization has worked with farmers and farmer's groups in 24 states to implement organic operations and provide them with production-related technologies and necessary project certifications. ICCOA has also focused on connecting organic projects to the market to increase the reach of organic produce.

During the KJ Chaupal program, Menon highlighted the advantages and challenges of organic agriculture, organic education programs, and agribusiness. He underscored the need to build ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable agriculture systems and businesses. Menon pointed out that organic farming is one of the closest farming systems to sustainability, and it provides food that is healthy, safe, and nourishing. He added that moving from a food production regime to a nutritious food regime is essential to address nutritional security concerns in the country.

Menon also highlighted the importance of treating rural India as the "real India" and addressing the needs of farmers to improve their conditions. He emphasized that organic agriculture can result in good production and an improved economy, but the focus should be on providing farmers with the necessary resources and support to achieve success.

The Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Krishi Jagran, M.C. Dominic, expressed his admiration for Menon, stating that he is a notable leader who has dedicated his life to the organic farming sector. Dominic also underscored the importance of adopting organic farming to address the health concerns of the land and soil.

Menon and Gakhar's visit to the Delhi office highlighted the importance of organic agriculture, organic education programs, and agribusiness in promoting sustainable agriculture systems and businesses in India.

Their emphasis on connecting organic projects to the market and addressing the needs of farmers is a step in the right direction towards achieving sustainable agriculture and improved economic conditions for farmers.