Organic farming protects soil fertility and crops produced in this form would protect human health and also the environment, said Collector M. Ram Mohan on Sunday. He was addressing a meeting organised in connection with the Rythu Dinotsavam (Farmers’ Day) under the aegis of the Chinnikrishna Desi Vithana Parirakshana Samithi, at Pragathinagar.
He pointed out that organic farming is cheaper compared to farming based on synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. Initially, the production rate may be slow, but it improves in course of time, he added.
Mr. Rao advised farmers to adopt cropping pattern depending on soil tests and suggestions from agriculture officers. To liberate farmers from labour scarcity, mechanised cultivation is being encouraged by supplying the required farm implements on subsidy, he said, adding that farm investment, 24-hour free power supply and availability of seeds and fertilizers on time helps achieve reasonable growth in agriculture.
The Collector said under the Rythu Bandhu scheme, ₹400 crore was distributed to 2.23 lakh farmers in the district and the amount under the scheme would go up to ₹500 crore in the next season.
The district has also set a record in the State by procuring 4.81 lakh metric tones of food grains in kharif season, he said.
Later, Mr. Ram Mohan, along with district agriculture officer M. Govind and district horticulture officer Narsing Rao, felicitated high-performing farmers.
