Go organic in a big way, farmers told

Agriculture is a profitable venture, sustain it

K. Ventakeshwara Rao, Chief General Manager, Nabard, inspecting a mini tiller at a stall at the agriculture fair that began in Salem on Friday.– Photo:S. Guruprasath

The four day ‘Agri-expo 2015’ got underway in the city on Friday evening, with a call to the government, government agencies, and other organisations involved in the promotion of agriculture to create confidence in the minds of farmers that agriculture is not only a vital profession but profit making too.

The exhibition is brought up jointly by the Salem District Agriculture Graduates Advisory and Service Society, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Salem, and Kontak Exhibitions and Fairs at the Deiveegam Marriage Hall, Fairlands here.

Good sign

Inaugurating the fair, K. Venkateshwara Rao, Chief General Manager, Nabard, said that organic cultivation was slowly returning, which was a good sign.

Organic cultivation has to be promoted in the country irrespective of its impact.

The farmers could also be motivated to adopt a combination of organic and inorganic cultivation techniques in a scientific way.

Mr. Venkateshwara Rao said that the farmers, so also the people, have totally forgotten the minor millets, which played a crucial role in the food production of the country till recent past. For various reasons, the people have started opting for only wheat and rice.

Various minor millets feasible in the particular areas should be promoted and this will go a long way in meeting the food demand of the country, he said.

Revenue

Farmers at present are worried at the steep fall in revenue in the farm activities and many of them switching over to other trades. It is the duty of all concerned to encourage the farmers. The latest farming technologies should be taken to the fields, so that farmers stand benefited.

Produce fund

Explaining the financial support rendered for farm activities by the government and banks, Mr. Venkateshwara Rao said that the Union Government has created a separate ‘produce fund.’ K.M.S. Rajesh Kumar, chairman, CII Salem, said that the agriculture panel of the CII will always extend a helping hand for such endeavours.

A. Bhama Bhuvaneswari, District Development Manager, Nabard, said that the farmers of the region have taken advantage of similar fairs held in the past.

Two Farmers Clubs promoted by Nabard have put up stalls, she said and added that Nabard will extend all support for such interactions.

S. Mohan, former chairman, CII, Salem; M. Ramasamy, chairman, Rasi Seeds, Attur; S. Vimalan, vice-chairman, CII Salem, and others spoke.

A. Sadiq Basha, district governor, Lions District 324 B2, inaugurated the medical camp.

Banks, State Horticulture Department, Silk Development Department, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Sandhiyur, Dindivanam and Papparapatti, Tapioca and Castor Research Station, Yethapur, Farmers Clubs too have put up stalls.