Nobra, May 21 : The Agriculture Department Leh distributed organic certification documents to farmers in Turtuk village of Nobra subdivision, with officials urging growers to strengthen collective farming practices and tap emerging market opportunities for organic produce.
The programme, organised as part of the department’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture in remote areas of Ladakh, witnessed the participation of more than 70 farmers from different villages, along with local Nambardars and officials of the Agriculture Department.
District Agriculture Officer Leh, Shakeel ur Rehman, who presided over the function as the chief guest, distributed the certificates to farmers from villages falling under the block and called upon them to utilise the certification process to improve the market value of their agricultural produce.
Addressing the gathering, he advised farmers to form Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to strengthen collective marketing, improve access to government support mechanisms and secure better returns for locally cultivated produce.
He said organic certification could provide farmers with wider market access while helping promote sustainable and chemical-free agricultural practices in the region.
Officials present during the programme also highlighted the growing demand for organic produce and stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards and scientific farming practices to enhance agricultural sustainability in Ladakh.
Among those present on the occasion were Stanzin Gonbo, Assistant Soil Chemist; Zahoor Hussain, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Nobra; Krishan, Incharge SSOCA; and field staff of the Agriculture Department, Nobra.
The event formed part of the department’s continuing outreach initiatives aimed at encouraging organic cultivation, strengthening farmer awareness and promoting collective agricultural models in the border areas of the Union Territory.
