Kokrajhar peasants urged to go for organic farming

Our Correspondent

Kokrajhar: Minister of Handloom and Textile, Minority Welfare and Development, Ranjit Dutta, while attending the distribution ceremony of sanction letters under Mukhya Mantri Krishi Sa Sajuli Yozana to farmers in Kokrajhar on Saturday, called upon the farmers to adopt organic farming.

Dutta, while addressing before the beneficiaries, said that excessive use of chemical fertilizers had become a matter of grave concern as it was the main reason for various types of diseases. He said that organic production of vegetables, green tea or organic tea was in demand and everybody wanted organic products. He added that many youths and farmers of the State had adopted organic farming which had potential for sustaining the economy of the farmers.

The minister said 80 per cent of people of Kokrajhar depended on agriculture and the land of the district was suitable for all kinds of crops. He said the present government had undertaken various pro-farmer schemes to boost their economy and Mantri Krishi Sa Sajuli Yozana was one such scheme where farmers would get Rs 5,000 directly into their account.

Besides, the farmers would get another Rs 6000 in their accounts from the Government of India, he said, adding that tractors were being distributed at 70 per cent subsidy and to ensure that farmers do not suffer losses due to flood, drought or calamity, the government had given assistance under Pradhan Mantri Fashal Bima Yojana and bank interest would also be borne by the government. He said the government was targeting to double the agricultural production and therefore, farmers should focus on multiple cropping. BTC EM Doneswar Goyary said in most of the seasons, the paddy fields of the State remained barren while the crop lands of Punjab, Haryana and other States were always green with crops. The BTC had provided excellent irrigation facilities, canals, seeds and other agriculture implements to farmers but work culture was declining, he said, adding that the use of pesticides and fertilizers had become a matter of concern and therefore, there should be organic green revolution. The Council Head of the Department (CHD), Agriculture, BTC, MM Sargiary said altogether 19,723 farmers of Kokrajhar district had been selected for financial benefit of Rs 5,000 under Mantri Krishi Sa Sajuli Yozana.

Earlier, the minister released the book containing names and derailments of beneficiaries. The programme was also attended by BTC Principal Secretary BC Phukan, DC Partha Pratim Mazumder and Joint Secretary of BTC, Dinesh Boro.

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