Shillong | Meghalaya is poised to emerge as the country’s largest area under organic farming in terms of geographical coverage, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma told the Assembly on Thursday, as the state gradually shifts away from chemical fertilisers.

Intervening during Question Hour on the third day of the Assembly session, Sangma said the certification process for organic farming was currently underway and Meghalaya was expected to receive the requisite certification in the near future.

“The whole world and the country are slowly moving towards organic farming owing to its benefits,” Sangma said.

He said Meghalaya was currently in a transition phase, with the government working to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and promote organic farming practices across the state.

The Chief Minister said the government was discouraging the use of chemical fertilisers and that their use for farming was permitted only in notified areas.

Earlier, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Timothy D. Shira, replying to a question from Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, said the government had taken measures to regulate fertiliser prices and prevent unreasonable increases.