Latest News | Check Excessive Use of Agro-chemicals; Need to Promote Organic Farming: Tomar

New Delhi, Sep 23 (PTI) Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday said the use of chemicals and fertilisers has helped India in increasing foodgrains production but there is a need to check excessive use of crop nutrients and pesticides.

Addressing the 10th agrochemicals conference organised by FICCI, he said there is a need to promote organic and natural farming as well along with chemical-based agriculture to maintain a proper balance.

Also Read | Twitter To Fix Disappearing Tweets Issue Soon: Report.

Tomar highlighted that the government is making efforts to boost farmers income through launch of various programmes like PM-KISAN and Rs 1 lakh crore Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

Also Read | Planning To Invest? Expert Amne Suedi Guides Investment In Africa.

He said the government has brought three new farm laws to provide freedom to farmers in marketing their produce.

Tomar said the Centre has transferred Rs 1.58 lakh crore fund directly into bank accounts of 11.37 crore farmers through PM-KISAN scheme, under which Rs 6,000 is being provided annually to farmers in three equal instalments.

In order to double farmers' income, he said the government has taken several measures in the last seven years to make agriculture profitable. It is also working towards attracting young generation towards the farm sector.

Talking about agrochemicals, the minister said there should not be over-dependence on one type of farming and called for maintaining balance through promotion of all type of farming including organic and natural farming.

He said the use of chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides definitely helped the country in surplus foodgrains production.

However, Tomar said the excessive use of chemicals should be checked in the agriculture sector.

Speaking at the event, Ram Gopal Agarwal, Chairman FICCI–Committee on Crop Protection, and Dhanuka Group Chairman, demanded reform in registration and licensing system.

He said the consumption of pesticides in India is very low compared to China and the US.

Agarwal also demanded crackdown on sale of fake, spurious and sub-standard pesticides in the market, causing huge losses to farmers.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)