Karnataka - Mysore   

Programme to promote organic farming practice

Staff Correspondent

MYSORE: It was a festive atmosphere in Bailuru, Arepalya and GM Doddi villages of Kollegal taluk in Chamarajanagar district on Sunday. The villages were decorated with mango leaves, plantain stems and coconut fronds. Women offered pujas in the fields and drew “rangoli.”

The occasion was the launch of “Savayava Krishi Grama Yojane” scheme organised by “Sahaja Samrudha”, a Bangalore-based non-governmental organisation that propagates organic farming, and the Department of Agriculture at the Community Hall in Bailuru.

The ill-effects of using chemical fertilizers had left farmers in these villages a frustrated lot for two decades. It was three years ago that they switched over to organic farming. Over 40 farmers took up organic farming in an area of 250 acres in the three villages. They attracted the attention of the Government and the Department of Agriculture included the villages for the “Savayava Krishi Grama Yojane” (organic village programme). They have also formed “Hulikade Savaya Krishikara Koota” to create awareness on the importance of organic farming.

Speaking on the occasion, an expert in organic farming M.V.J. Murthy said that the farming method was not new to the farmers, as it had been in vogue from time immemorial.

Assistant Director of the Department of Agriculture M.A. Girish said that although it was possible to get good yield by using chemicals and fertilizers, it would not affect soil fertility and also the environment. Organic farming was not only environment friendly, but also cost effective, he added.

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