a national-level permanent board to monitor the promotion of organic farming in the country has been mooted by a task force on organic farming. According to the recommendations of the task force, the government ought to highlight the sustainability of the concept. Tax incentives for ventures in vermicompost, compost, press mud, etc, compensation for initial loss of produce to the farmers, creation of facilities and adequate certification agencies, have also been suggested by the task force. It says that the government should carry out demonstrations of organic farming on its farms.

Union agriculture minister Ajit Singh has asked the ministry to take up a pilot project on organic farming. Pointing to the practical difficulties of such farming, Panjab Singh, Indian Council of Agricultural Research chief and a member of the task force, said that the problems can range from availability of compost to quality parameters that need testing labs and checks. These have to be organised and put in place, he said.