Niranjan backs CT compost in farming, asks officials to create awareness among farmers
Directs officials to create awareness among farmers for optimum use of organic manure
Hyderabad: With the objective of providing quality food to people, Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy on Wednesday emphasised the need to promote CT compost usage in farming as an alternative to chemicals and fertilizers being used for pest control and better yield.
He asked the officials to make efforts and create awareness among farmers for optimum use of organic manure in their agricultural operations as the demand for organic products was growing.
In a video conference with the officials, Niranjan Reddy directed TS Agros (Telangana State Agro Industries Development Corporation Limited) to promote use of CT compost or organic manure by creating awareness among farmers. He pointed out that majority of vegetables and fruits in the market contained chemical residues. “People from earlier generations lived a healthier and longer life due to intake of food which was free of these chemicals. It is our responsibility to provide quality food for future generations by promoting organic farming,” he said.
The Minister advised the officials to involve elected representatives to encourage people and seek their cooperation in making organic compost manure which improves fertility rate of soil and gives higher yield. He stated that the soil needs more carbon which increases soil health and helps root growth in plants as well as increases water retention capacity, increasing crop productivity.
Further, Niranjan Reddy emphasised the need for farmers to use organic manure (CT compost) widely along with other organic fertilizers like vermicompost, green manure and livestock manure. He suggested that usage of CT compost should be widely publicised in cooperation with various government offices.
The Minister advised TS Agros to consider the proposal of providing Rs 1,500 subsidy to farmers for using CT compost and other organic fertilizers. He stated that companies like CRIBCO and Coromandel were able to supply CT compost at lesser price than TS Agros due to the subsidy provided by the Union government. He suggested that TS Agros supply organic manure directly to farmers with large farm lands without packaging to reduce costs for the company and the cost of unloading the bags to the farmer. He wanted the officials to encourage horticulture farmers on a large scale to use organic manure.
Principal Secretary for Agriculture B Janardhan Reddy, TS Agros Managing Director Ramulu, Ramky Waste Management Company Managing Director Gautam Reddy and Bhavani Organics Managing Director Ramesh participated in the video conference.
