Event Brief

In order to develop and expand a sustainable and organic cropping system in the state for
cotton and horticulture crops, Government of Madhya Pradesh,, DFW&AD, with support from Food and Land Use Coalition India Country Platform (FOLU India) and Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN), will conduct a stakeholder consultation workshop on 21^st and 22^nd February, 2025 in Bhopal.

With a crop system approach, the workshop will suggest pathways for expanding organic
farming in the state. The workshop is expected to be attended by –

• Farmers from different districts who have been involved in organic farming for more
than two seasons
• Civil society organisations that facilitate cotton cultivation in Madhya Pradesh
• Seed suppliers
• Certification agencies
• Traders
• Officials from DFW&AD, Government of Madhya Pradesh
• Farmers and CSOs from states other than MP, who are acquainted with organic cotton farming (through APCNF and other programmes)
• Scientists from ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research who are working on organic cotton research.

Expected Output of the workshop

Development of a state-level workplan for expansion of sustainable farming in Madhya Pradesh: WASSAN and FOLU India will synthesise the workshop discussions and submit a draft of the workplan. With the cropping system approach, this workplan will highlight practices that make organic farming more ecologically sustainable and economically viable. It will also emphasise support systems like bio-resource centres, improving the quality of production and strengthening certification and market linkages of the produce. This practical workplan when implemented will present a successful working model for the rest of the country, encouraging other states to adopt and implement.