Accreditation board for organic farming proposed

Experts have recommended the formation of an accreditation board to facilitate the farming of organic products in the country for food security and hygiene as they warned chemicals used in cultivation are farming land, food and human health.
They said only organic products can save country's cultivable land from the bad effect of chemical fertilizers and other chemical inputs and, at the same time, boost production of crops.
The expert opinions came at a workshop on 'Prioritization of organic sector in Bangladesh: Field to Market'. It was organized by Bangladesh Organic Product Manufacturers Association in the city Sunday.
Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal was present as special guest at the workshop where president of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements Andre Leu was guest of honour. Director-general of the Department of Agriculture Extension Md Hafizur Rahman was also present as special guest. Bangladesh Organic Products Manufacturers Association (BOPMA) leader MU Salam presided.
"Bangladesh's soil is very much suitable for organic production, but, for lake of proper knowledge on its production and prospects, farmers still stay far away from the cultivation," Andre Leu said.
He told the meet that if the government initiates move to formulate an accreditation board for certification of organic products, then acceptance of such products would increase both in the country and abroad.
Mr Salam, the BOPMA president, said many farmers of the country would come forward to cultivate organic crops if a certification body is formed.
"Demand for organic products is increasing gradually across the globe, so we have no way but to emphasize cultivation of such products with a view to ensuring food security and also boosting production of such items in the country."
Besides, he cautioned, it would be "a suicidal decision if we ignore bad effect of using chemical fertilizer in our land. Quality of land is going down day by day only because of using such harmful fertilizers in the soil. It is time we thought about the issue."
He further stated that to meet demand for food to feed the growing population the authorities have to adopt production of organic crops.
The planning minister assured all types of government support for forming an accreditation board and all support to the attempt of farming organic products in the country.
"According to a study of the government, it is possible to earn more than Tk5.0 billion in foreign currency by exporting organic products from the country within the next five years," he told the function.
"We are aware of the prospect and are ready to provide all sorts of policy support to the farmers."
The planning minister, however, also suggested association leaders concerned to select a land to start cultivation of organic products for piloting the concept.