Take to natural farming, minister tells agriculturists

Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana said excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides was adversely affecting the soil health and also polluting the environment.

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He said by adopting natural farming, farmers could improve the quality of soil health.

Addressing a district-level workshop organised by the Haryana Agriculture Department in grain market Radaur today to make farmers aware about natural farming, Rana said crops grown naturally were healthier and also fetched higher prices in the market.

No fertiliser is used in natural farming, rather the culture of bacteria is added to grow crops. In this method, the infestation of insects and diseases in the crops is also very less, he said.

On this occasion, Rana visited an exhibition related to agricultural equipment organised at the venue and honoured progressive farmers of the area.

Deputy Director, Agriculture, Yamunanagar, Dr Aditya Pratap Dabas, welcomed the minister by presenting him a bouquet and a memento on his arrival at the workshop.

He also thanked farmers for attending the programme and gave detailed information about the schemes being run for them by the department and encouraged them to take to natural farming.

At the programme, Padma Shri awardee agriculture expert Dr Hariom said in Gurukul Kurukshetra, crops were grown by adopting natural farming.

“The quantity of earthworms and the quantity and quality of bacteria are indicative of the strength of the field. If bacteria and earthworms increase, the organic carbon of the field automatically increases,” said Dr Hariom.

The programme was conducted by DIPR, Yamunanagar, Dr Manoj Kumar.

On this occasion, district president of the BJP Rajesh Sapra, chief executive officer of Zila Parishad Virendra Singh Dhul, district horticulture officer Dr Krishna Kumar, agriculture expert and scientist Dr Sandeep Rawal, Dr Ashima Khan, Sardar Beant Singh along with other BJP officials, workers and a large number of farmers were present.