Proper farming methodologies which are not against the nature, and devoid of the use of pesticides and chemical manure, was very aptful for agriculture, informed Agricultural Officer C H Nagaraj.

Proper farming methodologies included use of bio-pesticides which did not harm the environment and were equally effective in controlling the diseases affecting crops, he added.

He was speaking at a training workshop organised for the farmers on complete pest management of monsoon crops for the current year, at Chindigere village of Cheluru hobli, in Gubbi taluk. The workshop was organised by the Agriculture Department and Chethana Public Welfare Trust, recently.

Bio-agriculture

Providing suggestions to the farmers, Mr Nagaraj explained in detail about alternative cropping, mixing of crops, bio-seed management, sowing of disease-resistant variety crops, including neem cultivation, were some of the topics covered. Explaining about bio-agriculture method, he said, there could be not better technology than this for the farmers.

Main speaker Dr Adarsh, speaking on the occasion, said, sunlight helped in killing pests and insects, several birds also pecked and ate insects and in an way helped in controlling the pests. These were some of the natural methods of pest control, he added.

Progressive farmer N Mrutyunjayappa explained about the traditional and pure variety crops and also about their usefulness.

Zilla Panchayat member Anasuya Muddurangappa inaugurated the training workshop. Gubbi taluk panchayat Vice-President Basavarajaiah presided over the programme.

Distributed

A fodder and grass cutting machine and pesticide-spraying machine were distributed to the Basaveshwara Organic Farming Committee of Chindigere village, which is implementing the ‘Organic Village Project’ here.

Various saplings of Jatropha saplings which are the origin of bio-fuel, manure trees, rosewood, silver oaks, etc, were distributed among the farmers, on the occasion.

Chindigere Agricultural Committee Chairperson Jayamma, Secretary Vijaykumar, Ramachandrappa and several important personalities, members of the Sthree Shakti Sanghas were present at the workshop. Agricultural Officer of the Cheluru Raitha Samparka Kendra Narasimhaiah compered the programme. Chairperson of the Chethana Public Welfare Trust K R Ramadevi proposed a vote of thanks.