Many keen on roof gardening: Niranjan Reddy

Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy said considering the welfare of farmers, the Centre should change its approach and take up the responsibility of ensuring rational cultivation of crops besides encouraging pulses and oilseed cultivation.

The State government was extensively promoting organic farming and appropriate measures were being taken up accordingly, he said during question hour in the Legislative Council here on Thursday. The Minister said after 1967, the use of fertilisers and chemicals in crops began in the country. Introduction of fertilisers was mainly taken up to increase production to meet the demand in the country, he explained.

Before 1967, cattle, goat, sheep compost and green manure and leaves were used as fertilisers in traditional farming. Many believed that organic farming was a new farming practice but it is not, he said, adding that the State government had banned the use of herbicide glyphosate. He said many people were now evincing interest in rooftop gardening and the Horticulture Department was encouraging it across the State. Elected public representatives should promote these extensively, he appealed.

As appeals were being made to do away with the use of fertilisers and chemicals, many were under the false impression that there was a scarcity of fertilisers, the Minister said. Farmers should have a complete understanding of the farming practices. In the international market, there is a lot of demand for agricultural produce that does not contain chemical and fertiliser residues, he explained. To instil confidence in farmers in organic farming, Central and State governments should work in coordination. Cuba is best in organic farming in the world, while Sikkim was leading in the country, he informed.

MSP is Central responsibility
The Agriculture Minister said the extension of minimum support price was the responsibility of the Central government. Centre announces MSP for 29 varieties of crops in the country. The state government was setting Rythu Vedikas for a cluster of every 5,000 acres and in Nalgonda, there was a cluster for 8,000 acres. The State government would take up rationalisation of Rythu Vedikas shortly, he added.

Protem Chairman impressed with response
Legislative Council Protem Chairman V Bhupal Reddy was impressed with Niranjan Reddy’s response to question from members on organic farming. “The reply was given with complete understanding on the subject. Awareness classes should be organised for MLAs and MLCs to encourage farmers to take up organic farming,” said Bhupal Reddy. He wanted the Minister to take the Council members to ICRISAT during his visit and the Minister responded positively.

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