Write a speech encouraging the audience to adopt organic farming
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Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, said on Monday that it was essential for farmers to give importance to their health.
He was speaking after inaugurating a workshop on health and personality development of farmers, organised by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka Agriculture Price Commission ,and other organisations.
He said that with the spraying of pesticides and other fertilisers on crops, there was a possibility of chemicals entering farmers’ bodies. This could lead to diseases, including cancer. Hence, regular health check-ups are essential for farmers, he said.
He also urged farmers not to use chemicals during agricultural operations without taking precautions. It would be better if they stop using inorganic fertilisers and pesticides, and instead use organic and natural farming methods, Mr. Madhwaraj said.
The Minister said the present initiative of focussing on the health of farmers was laudable. “Just as food is essential for society, the health of farmers is too,” he said.
T.N. Prakash Kammaradi, chairperson of the State Agriculture Price Commission, H.S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor of MAHE, Poornima Baliga, Pro Vice-Chancellor, were present.
Organic farming is an alternative agricultural system which originated early in the 20th century in reaction to rapidly changing farming practices. Organic farming continues to be developed by various organic agriculture organizations today. It relies on fertilizers of organic origin such as compost manure, green manure, and bone meal and places emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting. Biological pest control, mixed cropping and the fostering of insect predators are encouraged. In general, organic standards are designed to allow the use of naturally occurring substances while prohibiting or strictly limiting synthetic substances.[2] For instance, naturally occurring pesticides such as pyrethrin and rotenone are permitted, while synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are generally prohibited. Synthetic substances that are allowed include, for example, copper sulfate, elemental sulfur and Ivermectin. Genetically modified organisms, nanomaterials, human sewage sludge, plant growth regulators, hormones, and antibiotic use in livestock husbandry are prohibited.[3][4] Reasons for advocation of organic farming include advantages in sustainability,[5][6] openness, self-sufficiency, autonomy/independence,[6] health, food security, and food safety.