Patna, Aug. 12: Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) today prescribed promotion of organic farming for the state’s overall growth, which can bring a turnaround for the state and its farmers.

“Organic farming, which is good for both the environment and health, could increase the income of the state’s farmers by 250 per cent to over Rs 4,500 per capita in rural areas over the next five years. At present, the per capita income in rural areas stands at Rs 1,700 to Rs 1,800,” Ravi Wig, chairman, Assocham Bihar Development Council and D.S. Rawat, Assocham national secretary-general said, while releasing a study paper titled “Organic farming- Way to Agricultural Prosperity”.

Organic farming has the potential to generate 20 lakh jobs in the state apart from creating seven lakh additional jobs if on-farm storing, processing, value addition, packaging and marketing facilities were included, Rawat said, before adding that this technique provides over 30 per cent more jobs per hectare against non-organic farms.

Stating that the demand for organic products is worth around Rs 5 lakh crore across the world, he said India at present exports goods worth Rs 500 crore but the idea is to export the same quantum of organic products from Bihar alone in the next five years.

“We have sent a proposal to the Centre for extending subsidy support to those farmers who adopt organic farming for the next three years,” Rawat said, adding that the state government should set up organic council for promotion of organic farming.

The Assocham delegation would also meet chief minister, deputy chief minister, industries and agriculture ministers and department secretaries and discuss the ways and means to promote the farming, Wig said.

Wig said: “Bihar is an investment destination as it is like a rising sun. There is no match for Bihar’s workers’ strength.”