Implementation in a phased manner: Mohanan

Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan has said that the government is seriously considering a ban on use of chemical fertilizers in the State.

He was inaugurating an exhibition-cum-sale of dairy, agricultural, and industrial products organised by the Chengannur block panchayat here on Wednesday evening.

Mr. Mohanan said the government was mulling over implementing the ban in a phased manner from next year.

He said a study conducted by the Agriculture Department had found that 96 per cent of the vegetables were cultivated using organic manure.

Fully organic State

The proposed move would be linked with steps being taken to ensure that the State switched over to organic farming completely by 2016. As many as 20 panchayats would be declared fully organic panchayats by April, he said.

He said the department had begun the procurement of agricultural products taking into consideration the difficulty of farmers in finding markets. Such products were being procured in 100 agriculture offices across the State.

Popular among youth

He said the State government was focussing on making cultivation popular among the younger generation. A significant progress in this regard had been visible since the distribution of vegetable seeds among schoolchildren in 2012.

He said the foray of political organisations into the farm sector was beneficial for the country. In fact, most parties had come into existence with the aim of uplift of those engaged in agriculture.

P.C. Vishnunath, MLA, presided over the function. Chengannur block panchayat president Bindu Kaladharan; Chengannur municipal chairperson Valsamma Abraham; district panchayat members Omanakutty Amma and K. Anandavalli Amma; Agriculture Department assistant director Suja George; and Block Development Officer V.J. Sreekumar participated in the inaugural function.