With an aim to maintain ecological balance and popularise organic crops, an agro-based NGO named 'Balipara Foundation', located in the nature tourist centre of 'Wild Mahseer' in Adabarie Tea Estate and promoted by Globally Managed Services, has embarked on a unique social service programme in an effort to assist the flood-affected farming communities located in the Balipara, Lokra, Chardwar areas of Sonitpur district.

As a part of the programme, the NGO with the support of 'Wild Mahseer' organised a seed distribution programme for the flood-affected farmers on October 1 at the Wild Mahseer complex, wherein seed of crops and vermi-compost were distributed to more than 100 flood-affected farmers.

Attending the programme as chief guest, Amal Hazarika, District Agricultural Officer, Sonitpur stated that the farmers should be aware about using fertilizers. Since most of the farmers lack knowledge on its proper use, hence stress was laid on judicious use of vermi-compost. He further said that the balance between the hygiene and production is to be maintained and that will be possible only through dedication of the farmers.

Attending the programme as guest of honour ADO, Balipara block, Pankaj Saikia urged the farmers to be industrious and dedicate their efforts so that they can capture the market and fulfill the basic need of hygienic production.

The programme was attended by noted social worker of the area Komison Mili ex-president of Ghoranari unit ABSU Bhobani Boro and among other well-known personalities of the area.

Earlier, project manager and trustee of the NGO Robin Eastment welcomed the gathering and highlighted the aims and objectives of the NGO.

In his welcome address, he further asserted that the NGO has been distributing the highest quality vermiculture as organic manure to help the farmers to maximise their yields. The vermiculture has been produced by the Foundation under technical collaboration of Morarka Foundation, Rajasthan.

He further stated in his feedback report that the Foundation is also offering 'buy back' facilities to the farmers during harvest the ensure market linkages and the best price realisations of their produce, and is working closely with institutional agencies for a grant for the seeds so that the same can be given to the farmers free of cost.

However, if the grants do not fructify, a nominal charge will be levied to the farmers which will be adjusted during the 'buy back' period.

He finally remarked that it is a unique step to meet the objective of the NGO for facilitating and driving community involvement and income generation for sustainable wealth creation for the local farmers.