Union Minister wants Erode to be made an organic farming district
Staff Reporter
SHG members told to create awareness on ill-effects of chemical fertilizers
Going natural: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan after inaugurating an exhibition on Organic Farming at Gobichettipalayam, on Saturday. —
ERODE: “Every year crop yield is declining and the farmers are being affected with various diseases. This is due to the use of chemical fertilisers. So, Erode district has to be made organic farming district,” said the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan, at Gobichettipalayam on Saturday while inaugurating a seminar on Organic Farming jointly organised by the Agriculture, Horticulture and Sericulture departments.
She also inaugurated a mini expo on the occasion.
Farms
The Union Minister said in Erode district, a few farmers had come forward to use organic fertilizers in their farms.
Application of organic fertilisers will help the farmers get ‘quality produce’ and would not affect their health. She said, "It is my wish that within the next couple of years, the entire Erode district may be made organic farming district. For this the farmers should render their cooperation by switching over to organic farming.”
She appealed to the self-help group members to visit villages and propagate the ill-effects of chemical fertilizers and the advantages of organic farming. Organic Farming Scientist Namazvar said for the past 50 years “we are using chemical fertilizers. During the past two decades, the yield has come down and the soil value has diminished. Organic farming system was introduced seven years back and is gaining momentum in all the places. He wanted the Agriculture Department to take effective steps to motivate the people to go for organic farming.
The Joint Director of Agriculture, S. Somasundaram, who presided over the seminar said Erode district stood first among all districts in rice production. He said 4.7 tonnes of rice was produced per hectare. If the farmers use organic fertilizer, they would get more yield. Similarly, maize had been raised in over 20,700 hectares and sunflower in over 6,800 hectares. Sub-Collector, Gobichettipalayam, Anshul Mishra, Assistant Director, Horticulture, K. Mohan, head of the Agriculture Research Station, Bhavanisagar, M. Balusamy, and others spoke.
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