Accord greater prominence to natural farming: Vice-President

: Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu Tuesday called upon youth to pay renewed attention to agriculture and said the need of the hour was to accord greater prominence to natural farming.

In his message to the people on the occasion of Pongal and Makar Sankranti, Naidu said Pongal is a thanksgiving festival celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety by people across Tamil Nadu.

"I call upon the youth to pay renewed attention to agriculture, which is the backbone of the Indian economy. The need of the hour is to accord greater prominence to natural farming and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers", he said.

Noting that the traditional family system was a pride of the country, he said, "there is a need to protect family values."