Adopt organic farming, Sri Sri appeals to farmers

Visitors at the National Horticulture Fair 2021 held at the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) in Hesaraghatta on Monday. DH PHOTO/KRISHNAKUMAR P S

Batting for sustainable development across India, Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravishankar on Monday stressed on the need to adopt organic farming to take the country on the path of progress.

Inaugurating the National Horticulture Fair 2021 at the Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) in Hesaraghatta, he said that people are consuming poisonous food which is the result of excessive use of pesticides. "This farming system has to change and farmers must take up organic farming."

Rishi-Krishi-Khushi

Highlighting that India is a land of saints, agriculture and happiness (Rishi-Krishi-Khushi), he said, "The floral diversity of India is indeed a model to the entire world. All our medicinal plants, especially the ones grown as horticultural products, have achieved fame overseas as health-inducing products. Rasam has become an immunity booster in the US. Even though scientists had predicted that Covid cases are likely to shoot up in India by December, our traditional practices kept the virus wave under control."

He also released the 'Arka Vyapar' mobile app that provides farmers across the country with regular updates on the market and fluctuating prices for their produce.

Dr Trilochan Mahapatra, director-general, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, explained that ICAR has developed about 51 organic cropping systems suitable for adoption in 12 different states.

IIHR director Dr M R Dinesh said that five days of the horticulture fair will help develop entrepreneurship skills among farmers and will promote the Prime Minister's call of Atmanirbhar Bharat.