چكيده فارسي :
Organic farming is increasingly being considered as an option for improving food security, food safety
and alleviating poverty, proactively creating new local and export markets. Organic production systems are
particularly suitable to smallholder farmers as these systems depend on the sustainable use of local resources
and on farmers’ traditional knowledge and social networks. The FAO of UN has identified organic farming as a
priority area for addressing both local and global food security challenges. The government of India too among
several other measures has launched “National Project on Organic Farming” (NPOF) which has focused
attention on North Eastern states including Mizoram. The Indian Ministry of Agriculture and Indian Council of
Agricultural Research consider the North Eastern Region including Mizoram, being mostly rain-fed and
mountainous, ideal for promotion of organic farming. Thus, this study (doctoral dissertation) was carried among
150 integrated organic farmers from three districts of Mizoram to identify the potential & constraints including
training needs of the farmers and role of producer organizations in the area of organic farming. Mizoram state in
India formally recognized organic farming by passing the Mizoram Organic Farming Act in 2004 to introduce,
adopt areas for, promote and regulate organic farming in the state. Accordingly, under extension strategies,
organic agricultural practices were diffused by setting up model organic farms and model organic villages, with
substantial efforts made in capacity building of trainers and farmers in different aspects of certified organic
production in Mizoram. This study also revealed very good prospects of organic animal husbandry development
as well. This paper elaborates the extension activities including capacity building measures undertaken in the
state of Mizoram to promote and develop organic farming, which could be an example for others to replicate the
experience towards organic farming development. As a way forward, it is recommended that the extension
functionaries should concentrate on capacity development measures including formation and strengthening of
farmers’ associations to make organic farming sustainable venture for the farmers.
