Murmu advises farmers to adopt natural farming ways

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday stressed on the adoption of natural farming methods to mitigate the negative impacts of excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides.

Speaking at the 40th convocation ceremony of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), President Murmu said: “Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides have posed a new challenge to our agriculture sector. Everyone is concerned over the negative impacts this has on the soil, water and environment.

“Keeping in view the present situation, we have to give emphasis on adoption of natural farming methods, promotion of indigenous technical knowledge, and appropriate use of locally available natural resources.”

The President also added that it is impossible to achieve all-round development of the country without development of the agriculture sector and farmers.

Murmu said that she is of the firm belief that the economy of the country can be strengthened through the development of agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry sector.

She said that culture and agriculture are among the several distinguishing features of India. Murmu further added that it is rightly said about India that ‘Agriculture is Culture is our culture’.

“For the last couple of decades, our country has achieved unprecedented success in the sector of agricultural production. Once, we were dependent on other countries for food items, but now we are exporting food items and other agricultural products to different countries. It became possible only because of the guidance of our agricultural scientists and the untiring labour by our farmers,” Murmu said.

She also stated that there are adequate opportunities available in India for the development of agriculture. The President noted that fertile land, different climates, adequate natural resources, quality human resources, and advanced technology are enough to ensure growth of the agriculture sector in India. However, the agriculture sector in India is also facing several problems.

Indo-Asian News Service