BHUBANESWAR: The government is working on an organic farming policy that will be implemented in 15 districts of the state in the first phase , agriculture minister Pradip Maharathy said on Sunday.At several places, villagers still practice organic farming. It is a proven fact that organic farming can help increase productivity of crops. Conventional farming has not only led to crop loss, but also has several health hazards, the minister observed. "We are planning to implement the policy in 15 districts in the first phase for the smooth transition from convention to organic farming," said Maharathy.He was addressing a select gathering at the book release of 'Biodiversity, Agro-Ecology and Indigenous Knowledge in Odisha', here on Sunday. The book has been published by Navdanya, an organization which has been working on the conservation of biodiversity and promotion of sustainable agriculture across 20 states in the country."We are planning to organize a farmers' convention where scientists and campaigners of organic farming from across the country will deliberate on the benefits of organic farming," said Maharathy.Speaking on the occasion, Navdanya founder Vandana Shiva said the launch of the book is an attempt to spread and popularize the message of organic farming. She alleged that under pressure from multi-national companies, the Centre has been formulating anti-farmer laws, which are badly affecting the farm economy, food habits and public health. Public health is an important issue that is often forgotten and overlooked in conventional agriculture, she said, adding Navdanya has created the largest seed bank of India in Balasore.

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