Paddy harvest festival was celebrated here on the Deepavali day underscoring the need to conserve natural resources.
Addressing a function to mark the festival on Tuesday, Sri Yogananda Saraswathi Swamiji of Kondevoor Math also stressed the need for conserving ecology and environment for the well being of mankind.
The programme, organised jointly by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) attached to the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) here and Nityananda Yogashrama, Kondevoor in Mangalpady panchayat, was inaugurated by H.P Maheswarappa, Project Coordinator, AICRP (Palms), CPCRI, here.
Mr. Maheswarappa lauded the efforts taken by the ashram in disseminating organic farming technologies by promoting safe food for healthy life. CPCRI has been according importance to organic cultivation through field-level extension activities and frontline demonstrations in the district and showcasing organic cultivation of paddy at Kondevoor.
The procedure involves soil test based acidity and nutrient management, selection of varieties suitable for organic cultivation, mechanization to reduce cultivation cost and organic plant protection measures to create awareness among the farming community.
T. Vanaja of Kerala Agricultural University stressed the importance of conservation of traditional varieties for promoting nutritional security.
K V K has introduced three varieties suitable for organic cultivation Viz; Ezhom I, II and III .
Senior KVK officials took part in the function, attended by over 200 farmers.
