Promote organic farming, advises minister

The six-day Agri-Expo 2018 was inaugurated by Minister for Revenue E Chandrasekharan at CPCRI in Kasaragod recently.

He said that research findings should be utilised by farmers with confidence. "Farmers need to overcome the trouble caused by various pests, diseases as well as adverse environmental conditions to refund the agricultural loans. This is where research and extension services play a major role. The government is gathering supporting position in controlling the adversities faced by farmers in the value chain of agricultural production, procurement, processing and marketing," said the minister.

He stressed on the importance and future of organic farming to naturally overcome major problems caused by the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides in the past. He also stressed upon the importance of organic farming in the district to overcome the problems faced by the unscientific use of insecticides in the past.

T R Ushadevi, principal agriculture officer, Kasaragod, spoke on the role of the agri expo and the role of ATMA in agricultural extension. She also invited the involvement of farmers and felicitated for a fruitful learning experience.

Suresh Kumar Shetty, member, IMC of ICAR-CPCRI, said that the present increase in market price for commodities such as coconut is encouraging farmers and is a welcome situation to adopt new technologies.

CPCRI director Dr P Chowdappa was present.