The Agriculture Department has decided to lay emphasis on organic farming by encouraging farmers to take it up extensively.
Sources in the department said that over 100 hectares of land in each of the 26 hoblis in the district would be brought under organic farming. The department has selected one village in each hobli and released Rs. 3.75 lakh as the first instalment.
Non-government organisations have been assigned the task of creating awareness among farmers on the importance of organic farming. Besides this, the department also plans to conduct awareness campaigns among farmers.
Over 2500 farmers will grow crops such as paddy, ragi, cereals and pulses under the initiative. They will be provided with manure, seeds, vermicompost and insecticides at subsidised rates. Besides this, they will be given financial assistance to set up compost units and bio-digester units that is needed to produce organic manure. Agriculture officers will inspect the fields and guide farmers.
The sources said extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides were not only affecting the quality of soil and water, but also harming those who consumed the products. Concerns over diminishing fertility of soil owing to constant use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have been expressed by agricultural scientists and progressive farmers in the past, and this prompted the department to promote organic farming. Farmers in many places have been directed to use silt removed from tanks to improve fertility of the soil, the sources said.
