9-day programme to be held in Tiruchy for farmers

Eminent farmer Subhash Palekar, known for his zero budget natural farming, Friday announced a nine-day training programme in Tiruchirappalli from February 2-10 for the benefit of farmers.

Farmers, who have adopted his popular 'Palekar Krishi' (zero budget natural farming), which is nil use of chemical fertiliser and insecticides, were now earning double for their produce than what the ordinary farmer, who uses hazardous fertilisers and insecticides, is earning, Palekar told reporters here.

During the programme, he said, the farmers would be trained on market rate for paddy, sugarcane, coconut and banana and all crop cultivation, starting from the base of natural farming, input preparation, necessity of country breed cattle, importance of traditional seeds, step to enrich the soil and selling the goods with added value.

Stating that his cow-based agriculture was gaining popularity across the country where more than 60 lakh hectares were under cultivation for various crops, Palekar said one cow can help raise crops in 30 acres of land.

On the success rate, he said the farmers were indulging in multi and internal crops and not dependent on mono-crop, as they raised pepper, vegetables, areca nut, cinnamon, banana, tomato along with the main crop of coconut or cotton, without any of the farmers complaining of crop loss or taking the extreme step of committing suicide by following this system of farming.

He said he has shown the nation and the government how to double farmers' income, without using chemical and organic fertilisers.

Barring a few states like Tamil Nadu, majority of them, including Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh, has adopted this system, he said and sought a ban on organic and chemical farming systems.

Being 'king' the farmer can himself dictate the prices of his produce and there was no need of any middleman, Palekar said adding that even the government need not implement the recommendations of agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan's recommendations on minimum support price.

About 3,000 farmers are expected to participate in the programme which is to be organised by Isha Agro Movement.