Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin   

“Fertilizers affect soil health”

Tuticorin: The Indian agriculture had plunged into a crisis because of adoption of economically unviable and ecologically non-balanced farming practices, according to G. Nammalvar, an exponent of organic farming movement.

Delivering the keynote address at an awareness programme on ‘organic farming practices’ organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Vagaikulam near here on Tuesday, he said that excessive use of chemical fertilizers had caused deterioration of soil health, resulting in reduction of yield.

He pointed out that immoderate use of chemical fertilizers had increased the cost of cultivation by leaps and bounds, which thus reduced the profit margins of the farmers.

The respective state governments should come out with innovative action plans to prevent relocation of agricultural labourers to urban areas seeking greener pastures, since adequate workforce was essential to keep the agriculture sector vibrant.

The plan documents should also highlight measures that needed to be taken to arrest the migration of farmers from ‘food crops’ to ‘cash crops’, to ensure food security in the country.

Mr. Nammalvar said that the state governments should take steps to procure ‘food crops’ from the farmers at attractive minimum support prices, to keep them choosing the variety in the subsequent seasons.

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