MYSURU: Against a backdrop of heightened awareness about the ill-effects of excessive use of chemicals in farming among consumers, Mahadeva Sangappa Manturu, a celebrated farmer from Bagalkot district, on Monday advised his fellow ryots to switch to organic modes of agriculture to preserve the health and quality of soil. A progressive farmer who has been promoting organic cultivation across the state, Manturu, who participated in a workshop organised by the Banuli Krishi Belagu at K Basavanahalli in Periyapatna taluk, pointed to the extensive damage wrought by the indiscriminate use of fertilisers on the quality of soil.

Exhorting the farmers who participated in the workshop to switch to organic farming , Manturu said, “Pesticides and fertilisers have affected the soil quality adversely. Chemicals poison the food we eat, and as a result, those who consume our produce are afflicted by various diseases. There is a need to create awareness among farmers about the advantages of organic farming.”

The Old Mysore Region , Manturu opined, was a fertile territory for organic agriculture, given the irrigation facilities it boasted. “Rearing cattle, sheep and goats helps in generation of natural fertilisers. There is an imminent need to adopt organic methods of farming, and pass on the knowledge to the next generation of peasants,” he added.

Manturu was conferred the Krishi Ratna award, while fellow ryot Padmamma Marigowda was bestowed the Kayaka Ratna.

Programme head for Akashvani HR Abdul Rasheed and president of the Organic Farming Association for Mandya and Chamarajanagar P Ramesh, agricultural science expert Chandru and president of Visvesvaraya Development Organisation Harsha D were among those in attendance at the workshop.

