Activities & Services

JKTPO and Invest India organized an Organic Certification program for lavender and Rajmash (GI Product) growers of Doda under ODOP initiative in Doda.

JKTPO and Invest India organized an Organic Certification program for lavender and Rajmash (GI Product) growers of Doda under ODOP initiative in Doda.

JKTPO and Invest India organized an Organic Certification program for lavender and Rajmash (GI Product) growers of Doda under ODOP initiative in Doda.

The Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO), as part of its efforts to promote ODOP products in Jammu and Kashmir and enhance their export potential, organized a workshop on Organic Certification at the Meeting Hall of Deputy Commissioner’s office at Doda. Deputy Commissioner Doda Sh. Harvinder Singh, IAS chaired the programme which was attended by Mr. Anil Gupta, Chief Agriculture Officer of Doda, Chief Planning Officer of Doda, District Agriculture Officer, representatives from the Floriculture Department, SMS Agriculture experts, growers of Rajmah and Lavender, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and representatives from Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO), and Invest India's certifying agency, Aditi Organic Certifications Pvt Ltd.

 

The JKTPO under the guidance of Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce department and in pursuance of directions of worthy Chief Secretary J&K is continuously striving to build capacity and generate awareness about various interventions and create forward linkages for fetching better remuneration for farmers/entrepreneurs/artisans.

Mr. Harvinder Singh, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Doda during his inaugural address to the audience underscored the importance of organic certification and its potential to uplift the economic status of farmers. He emphasized the current necessity for organic food, contrasting it with the past focus on increasing crop production to achieve self-sufficiency in various crops across India. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts to ensure that all farmers cultivating lavender and Rajmash in the district are included in the organic certification process, following a mission-oriented approach.

The event was attended by over 150 farmers, comprising 70 lavender farmers and 80 Rajmash growers from various regions including Bhadherwah, Kastigarh, Marmat, Ghat, Bhalla, Thatri, and others in the Doda district and more farmers are expected to come under organic certification. On-the-spot registration for Organic Certification was facilitated for 90 farmers of both the crops. JKTPO intends to replicate such initiatives in various districts of J&K to raise awareness about NPOP among producers.

This program was conducted under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), focuses on obtaining organic certification for Rajmash and Lavender crops, which are the ODOP products of Doda District. This initiative is a collaboration with the Invest India team from DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) sets standards for organic production, promotes organic farming and marketing, and is overseen by APEDA under the Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India.

The workshop's objective was to deliver certification and training to farmers who are already involved in producing organic Rajmash and Lavender but lack the necessary certification to authenticate their products. This initiative is aligned with JKTPO's mission to promote ODOP products in Jammu and Kashmir and to raise awareness among Rajmash and Lavender growers.

 

The workshop emphasized the importance of boosting organic production in the region to meet market demands, upgrading packaging/Storage etc to align with global standards, which is expected to increase demand and contribute to the enhanced income of farmers.

 

Speaking on the occasion the other members from the District Administration Doda also highlighted the importance of these workshops and added that obtaining these organic certification will undoubtedly enhance its value and lead to increased income for farmers.