Nuapada: A district-level workshop on organic farming and progressive agriculture under Odisha government’s two-year public relations program ‘Development Trends, Odisha Sara’ was held today at the local National College Auditorium under the chairmanship of District Collector Madhusudan Das. Nuapada block president Tarashwari Sahu, vice president Dilip Nirlamkar, district farmers’ morcha president Ratanlal Chandrakar, district level officers of various departments, progressive farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs and media representatives were present in the program. The workshop discussed in detail the need for natural and organic farming, protecting soil health, water conservation, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, climate-friendly farming practices and scientific agricultural management. Officers and experts from the College of Agriculture, Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer Center (ARTS), Agricultural Science Centre, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Watershed Development Departments briefed about the various schemes of their respective departments, the potential of agriculture-based income generation and how farmers can benefit from these schemes. Promotion of organic farming in horticultural crops and benefits of soil testing were also highlighted. Addressing the gathering, District Collector Mr. Dash said that to make agriculture profitable and sustainable, emphasis should be placed on organic and natural farming. He appealed to the farmers to increase their income by cultivating pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and other non-irrigated crops in Rabi season. “Let’s work together to grow organically and maintain good soil health.” He also advised the farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and increase the use of nano urea. The district administration further said, “The district administration is of the farmers, for the farmers and by the farmers. The district administration is always committed to the overall development of the agriculture and farmers of the district.” On the occasion, soil health cards were distributed to the farmers and the productive and progressive farmers of the district were honored. Report by Biswanath Samal from Nuapada.
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