JOIN US'Act on control of pesticides spraying likely'
Speaking after inaugurating an international conference on ‘Coconut Biodiversity for Prosperity’ organised by the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Indian Society for Plantation Crops (ISPC) at the CPCRI campus here, he said that there is no specific base which proves endosulfan as the reason for diseases seen at various places in Kasargod district.
However, Thomas said, a proper inquiry will be conducted with regard to the issue.
The Minister said that an Act will be framed to control the spraying of pesticides in the next session of the Parliament. Issues related to the endosulfan spraying will be discussed in the house, he added.
Talking about coconut farming, Thomas said that the growers face several challenges. Making use of the diverse advantages of coconut is one of the major challenges before the farmers, he added.
He said that the cocunut farming suffered setback considerably due to the import of palm oil. Agriculture experts should strive to find solution to the problems of coconut growers, he added.
Kasargod MP P Karunakaran said that there is a need of strengthening the coconut farming sector to increase the productivity. The results of CPCRI’s researches should reach the farmers, he added.