Agriculture minister calls on farmers to adopt organic farming
Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh, addressing Jaivik Krishi Sammelan organised by the National Centre of Organic Farming (NCOF) in Mathura on Sunday, called upon farmers groups, NGOs and other stakeholders to adopt organic farming to improve soil health and fertility.
He said that sustainable production can be achieved through organic farming by way of improvement in soil health and fertility. He called for an Organic Farming Revolution to free the soil and environment from deadly chemicals.
He asserted, “it is imperative that we protect our environment, soil health and fertility, mitigate climate change & global warming and achieve sustainable & nutritional security.”
He expressed happiness over NCOF developing multi-action waste decomposer and its simple mass multiplication technology for farmers.
Demand for Indian organic produce is high in global market: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister @RadhamohanBJP pic.twitter.com/Mhfcwl6dtk
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 8, 2018
The minister mentioned that the Modi government is committed to promoting organic farming in the country and is providing every possible help to farmers for its development.
“Organic farming has the potential of providing livelihood to farmers, and create employment opportunities for rural as well as for urban people,” Singh said.
He also talked about a new initiative ‘Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) launched by the Centre. Under PKVY, Rs 1,307 crore has been allotted between 2015-16 and 2018-19 financial years to promote organic farming in the country on cluster mode. He said, adding under the scheme, till date 23.02 lakh hectare land has been brought under certified organic farming.
The minister said the north-eastern and hilly states are preparing to go for fully organic farming after taking inspiration from Sikkim, that has become the first organic state of India.
Mr Singh also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is standing firm on his initiatives to ensure that the income of farmers double by 2022.
