Tamil Nadu   

Adopt natural farming methods, farmers urged

DINDIGUL: Natural farming method, a zero budget agricultural practice, will not only ensure better yield and scale down production costs to nil, but also protect land, water and air from pollution and offer tasty, quality and chemical residue-free food.

Above all, it will help farmers overcome their persisting financial crisis, according to Subhash Palekar, natural farming expert.

He was addressing a workshop on natural farming organised by Pasumai Vikatan held here on Monday.

“Your only investment is a country breed cow and not the hybrid or foreign breeds. The cow dung will take care of your land. This natural fertilizer can be used for any crop,” he said.

“You just return what the land offers to you. All inputs must come from nature. Growth and development must be natural. Humus that augments soil quality and micronutrient levels is a food stock to plants.

The quantum of humus must be increased in soil by allowing fallen leaves, flowers and small branches to decay.”

He said burning of wastes would destroy all micro-organisms in the field. Sugarcane growers should not do that. Cow dung has 300 to 500 crore micro-organisms.

He called upon farmers to adopt natural farming methods and stop using chemical fertilizers that will destroy the fertility of land and eventually ruin the health of consumers.

“It is better than organic farming.”

Detailing dangers of organic farming, Mr. Palekar said vermi-compost contained poisonous heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium and mercury. It also generated carbon dioxide. Moreover, organic farming was less productive compared to natural farming and highly expensive compared to chemical farming.

“Farmers must shun organic farming and rely on natural farming.”

Pasumai Vikatan Editor B. Srinivasan said agriculture was the only business carried out by farmers again and again even after incessant loss.

Natural farming evolved by Mr. Palekar was a method of zero investment without use of fertilizer and pesticide.

Ananda Vikatan group vice-president T. E. Manavalan, Executive Editor, S. Arivazhagan took part.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

BJP office attacked in Theni
‘Remove encroachments near water bodies’
Poor sanitary facilities
DEMU train service
Cable TV operators observe fast
Admission
Big trouble
Directive to officials
Works inspected
First step towards inclusive education
First step to inclusive education
Institute signs MoU with CODISSIA
Councillors at loggerheads; civic services crippled in Kancheepuram
Two die in accident
Pathetic vehicle stand
Grievance day meet
To protect livelihood
Direct admission
Seminar
Kerosene seized
New bridge sought between New Town, Amburpettai
Road blocked over clash
DMK, allies stage demonstration
Maintain gender quality in society
Knitwear industry goes for cover, as rupee races ahead
Cable operators protest against DTH service
Seek conciliation ways to settle motor accident cases: Judge
Firing practice for Coimbatore City Police personnel
Traffic blocked
Heavy rain claims seven lives in Bengal
Correction
Painting exhibition
Power failure
What they say
Hearty welcome
Liquour shops to remain closed
Pursue case strongly
Hindi Week
Alumni chapter
Residents protest against power disruptions
Visiting officials impressed with welfare projects implementation
Man’s body found in grove
Adopt natural farming methods, farmers urged
Regularise remand of 662 undertrial prisoners: court
DMK cadres burn effigy of BJP leaders
Four held
A first step towards inclusive education
BJP demands dismissal of DMK Government
“Work on 5 bridges yet to begin”
Cable TV control rooms to be set up
Book on Karunanidhi released
Ten DMK workers arrested
One killed, 26 injured in accident
The Hindu Opportunities Fair to open on September 29
School notes
SCHOOL NOTES

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu