Sustainable farming, Prosperous farmers

Extension of activities and linkages

Organic plot certification:

Almost all Krishak Panchayat members follow organic farming principles. Organic certification opens up doors of the niche market. Lokpanchayat approached Government of India's Regional Centre for Organic Farming to serve as a service provider. This helped Krishak Panchayat members to participate in the organic farming process certification. Lokpanchayat developed an internal control system which periodically carries out internal inspection of the farms of Krishak Panchayat members. National Organic Certification Agency (NOCA), a government recognized certification agency carries out external inspection. After three years of going through the organic farming process, the Krishak Panchayat members sell their produce in the niche market of organic farm produce. This earns them some premium over usual farm produce.


Marketing of organic produce:

• Krishak Panchayats participate in Organic Food Festivals. Such events are common now in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nasik and Aurangabad.



• Over the last three years Lokpanchayat helped Krishak Panchayats develop rapport with potential customers in the cities. Now there is a dedicated customer base to the Krishak Panchayat organic produce. This is gradually increasing.



• Lokpanchayat has started a retail organic product outlet named 'Irjik Organic Spot' in Sangamner town to serve local customers throughout the year.

Organic farming process certification in non Krishak Panchayat villages: Around 1500 farmers from other villages have approached Lokpanchayat to guide them in organic farming.

Lokpanchayat has facilitated process for organise farmers to register their company- 'Baliraja Krushak Producer Company Ltd.' for processing, branding and marketing of farm produce with premium prices. The company is owned by 200 share holders with Rs. 1 Lakh total capital.