Organic Farming Meet Puts Forth 9 Demands

VIJAYAWADA:The importance of protecting indigenous cow and promoting cow-based organic farming was emphasised in the one-day ‘cow-based organic farmers’ state convention, held at PWD Grounds here Sunday.

Nine demands were put before the state and Central governments by the farmers union in the convention organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh. They include setting up an Organic Farmers University in the state, ensuring that KVK and other agricultural organisations take up result-oriented research and make the same public, 20 per cent share for organic farming in agriculture budget, 60 per cent share for organic fertilizers in the budgetary allocation for fertilizers, encouragement of organic farming by providing necessary subsidies for organic farmers, strict implementation of ban on cow slaughter, setting up of goshalas at every mandal, 90 per cent subsidy on farm equipment for organic farmers and indigenous cattle for organic farmers at 50 per cent subsidy.

Speaking on the occasion, agriculture minister P Pulla Rao said the government will make efforts to propagate organic farming as it will only help the finances of the state government. He also promised to consider other demands and take them to the notice of both the state and central governments.

Endowments minister P Manikyala Rao said the government will initiate measures for setting up goshalas in every assembly constituency to shelter the cows rescued from slaughter houses. Several others also spoke.

The prime objective of the convention, attended by nearly 5,000 participants, was to create awareness among farmers about organic farming, which can greatly reduce financial burden on the farmer and also prevent farmers from resorting to suicides. The objectives was to protect the health of the land, which is under threat from overuse of fertilizers and pesticides.

The conference deliberated issues such as organic farming, value addition of organically produced foodgrains, marketing. Exhibition stalls and food court were a big hit with visitors and participants alike.