Kerala - Alappuzha   

Encourage organic farming, says VS

V.S. Achuthanandan says this will save the soil from negative impacts.

ALAPPUZHA: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has called for extension of organic farming across the State.

Speaking after giving away the Akshayasree awards instituted by the Akshaya Trust to farmers who excelled in organic farming at Muhamma near here on Tuesday, Mr. Achuthanandan said the broadening of the organic farming net and encouragement of the concept was necessary to save the soil from the negative impacts of poisonous fertilizers and artificial nutritional supplements.

Though fertilizers and supplements enhanced the yield, the quality of such products was questionable due to the poison content in them.

Many were resorting to use of fertilizers and pesticides without knowing the consequences, he said, adding that only persons who had immense confidence and grit could sow success in organic farming.

The benefits, however, were shared by the entire society, and not just the farmer, he said.

Mr. Achuthanandan also assured that he would look into whatever the State government could do to encourage organic farming and organisations like Akshaya which supported such pioneering efforts.

Later, the Chief Minister gave away the award for the State-level best organic farmer to Narayanan Ottapalam, while district-level awards were presented to Prakashan Mayithara by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac and to Sarojini, Kalavoor, by Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran.

Kumari Shibulal, chairperson of Akshaya Trust chairperson, K.V. Dayal, coordinator of Kerala Organic Farmers Council, S. Ram Anand, trustee of Akshaya Trust, C.K. Bhaskaran, president of Muhamma grama panchayat and others also spoke.

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