HASSAN: Terming the "Green Revolution," which was set in motion nearly 40 years ago to address the problem of food deficiency, as a conspiracy against farmers, Subhash Palekar, propagator of natural farming methods, said here today that it was responsible for the present agrarian crisis in the country.

Inaugurating a five-day workshop on natural farming organised by Rajya Naisargika Krishi Andolana Vedike — a forum formed for propagating zero-budget farming methods — Mr. Palekar said that instead of addressing the problems faced by the farmers, Green Revolution had caused a disaster. The large-scale use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides had led to spreading of various dangerous diseases. "The result of this is now evident as thousands of farmers have committed suicide across the country'', he noted.He said that while the farmers were struggling to cope with the impact of first Green Revolution, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had called upon the scientists to make another such ``revolution'' possible. Criticising the agricultural universities for allegedly misguiding the farmers by propagating modern techniques, which according to him were against nature, he said nature had a solution for every problem faced by the farmers. Zero-budget farming methods, would bail them out from the deathtrap, he added.

Acknowledging Mr. Palekar's observations, Sri. Shivalinga Swamiji of Tannerhalla Math said excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers had resulted in pollution of atmosphere. It was necessary to take recourse to native agriculture methods. President of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) Kodihalli Chandrashekar said it was important for the scientists and the Government to search for solutions for the agrarian crisis which was forcing farmers across the country to commit suicide.

Noted artist K.T. Shiva Prasad said that by opting for natural farming techniques, the farmer could save 65 per cent of his investment and get more yield compared to what he would get by using fertilizers and pesticides.

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