Farmers should give vibrations of peace to seeds in order to encourage growth and resistance to pests, the Indian minister for agriculture has said as his department announces its support of yogic farming.

Radha Mohan Singh said farmers should "empower" seeds with positivity, the Indian Express newspaper reported.

"Every day, farmers should give vibrations of peace, love and divinity to seeds and his land with the help of [yoga practice] Rajyog, so that it will help increase growth and resistance power," he said, citing studies that have claimed yogic farming will enhance the biological processes of plants.

"The idea behind yogic farming is to empower the seeds with the help of positive thinking. We should enhance the potency of seeds by rays.

"The idea is to help farmers. We should enhance fertility of the soil. It will help activity of micro-organisms in the soil too."

Mr Singh said the practice could help farmers raise their confidence and deal with challenges like climate change.

"We are supporting organic farming. Such exercise is accepted by my ministry essentially to enhance Indian farmers' confidence," he said.

"Indian farmers have, over the years, lost confidence in the age-tested knowledge of farming."

ABC/BBC