Exploitation of Potentials of Organic Fruit Production in North East India

Abstract

North East Region (NER) of India comprises eight states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. Total geographical area of NER is 2.55 lakh km2, which is about 8% of India’s total area. Physiography of NER is divided into three divisions—Meghalaya plateau, northeastern hills and Brahmaputra valley. NE hills alone accounts for 65% of the total land area, Brahmaputra valley 22% and Meghalaya Plateau covers 13%. Average annual rainfall in the region is 2500mm. Less than 18% of net cropped area is under irrigation. NER enjoys suitable agro climatic condition for growing wide array of horticultural crops. With exception to mandarins and to a certain extent to banana and pineapple, majority of fruit crops in the region are largely grown in homestead gardens. The region has tremendous potential for growing all the subtropical, tropical and temperate fruit crops organically. From the Zone-wise, nutrient-wise consumption pattern of fertilizers during 2014-15 clearly depicts that in South Zone a total of 166.33, in West Zone a total of 84.64, in North Zone a total of 192.32, in East Zone a total of 161.08 while in North East Zone a total of only 82.63. NPK kg per hectare fertilizers are consumed. The major share of whatever little fertilizers consumed in the North East Zone largely goes to the plantation crops like tea, rubber as well as to the cereal crops grown in the region. The low fertilizer consumption pattern in the region clearly depicts farmers’ tendency of non using inorganic fertilizers for fruit production. This situation compelled the fruit production organically by default in the region. However, it would be a challenging task for the fruit growers of the region to produce fascinating fruit crops of the region organically not merely by default but primarily as well as substantially by practice of organic farming. State like Sikkim of the region from the beginning of the current year is already one step ahead in proclaiming to be the first state in the country to be organic. In addition, another NER state Tripura is already in limelight by proclaiming positions as Organic Pineapple Producer among the sixty Agri Export Zones of the country. Mizoram, Meghalaya and Assam states have taken initiative to produce mandarins, lemons, passion fruits and pineapples organically. Manipur Organic Mission Agency is planning organic production of mandarins, lemons and pineapples as a first step in six hill districts of the state. Arunachal Pradesh has formed state Soil Health Mission as an initial step for entry into systematic organic fruit production. With the existing diversified tropical, subtropical and temperate fruit crops in NER, exploitation of potentials of organic fruit production in the region would definitely be a giant step in making the entire NER as the Organic Hub for fruits in the country.