Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada C.T. Ravi on Monday emphasised the need to change the mindset of farmers to shift from chemical-based agriculture to organic farming.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating an agriculture awareness campaign and a meet of organic producers, the Minister said that Indian agriculture stood on organic farming.
In ancient times, farmers never used chemicals. Organic farming was part of their lives. But a situation had arisen now where farmers thought that they would not be able grow crops unless they used chemicals. Excessive use of chemical fertilisers had spoilt the fertility of the soil, he said.
He said there was a need to create awareness on agriculture in India, Mr. Ravi said families engaged in farming had lost hopes that they could live on agriculture in the face of spiralling input cost. Methods of taking up agriculture at reduced cost should be explored, he said.
Mr. Ravi urged farmers not to underestimate traditional agricultural practices. Referring to use of cow dung in agriculture, the Minister said wherever cow dung was used certain types of insects made pores on the earth. The pores later helped in absorbing water.
The Minister regretted that families engaged in farming had lost respect in society which they commanded earlier. He said a country could not prosper if there was food scarcity.
Industrialisation alone could not take a country forward, Mr. Ravi said.
Citing an example of the erstwhile USSR (Russia), the Minister said although it was highly advanced in technology, it collapsed after food scarcity engulfed the country.
