Organic farming to get state aid

  • 01/07/2008

  • Deccan Chronicle (Hyderabad)

Kadapa, July 1: The Department of Horticulture is promoting the concept of organic farming in the district. Food products, especially vegetables, grown with the use of fertilisers, chemicals and other chemical sprays are responsible for making the human body disease-prone and new ailments arising. The chemical deposits enter the body through vegetables, cause sickness and affect vital organs of the body. The assistant director of horticulture, Mr V.S. Dharmaja, said that healthy food can be produced through organic farming and by use of organic manure. He says that farmers must avoid total or at least excessive use of chemicals in the cultivation of food products. He indicated to an action plan to widely promote organic farming vegetables and fruits. Every hectare of organic cultivation will be given Rs 10,000 subsidy. He said that commercially viable high breed vegetables can be produced, using organic farming techniques with less investment. He said that steps had been taken to cultivate cabbage and cauliflower on a massive scale under organic farming and export the same to other districts. The government was extending Rs 15,000 subsidy for creation of a vermicompost pit to facilitate organic manure production. There was no limit to the number of vermicompost units that can be sanctioned. Marketing of organic manure also is no problem as it is in great demand. The government itself will purchase organic manure from the producers. Farmers are also being advised to shift to cultivation of fruits other than oranges and mangoes, like guava and custard apples. For those setting up nurseries, subsidy to the tune of Rs 1.50 lakh is being extended by the government. The department has assisted an NGO called Green Krishi in opening an organic vegetable stall in the rytu bazaar in the town.