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Tribune News Service
Amritsar, September 6
In its ongoing efforts to promote non-toxic food production in Punjab, EcoAmritsar, an NGO, stepped up its endeavours to have at least one masterclass every fortnight before the upcoming sowing season. The 3rd masterclass to promote natural farming was held at Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara farm.
Over 25 farmers from villages in Amritsar, Ajnala, Tirathpura and Teraan Kalan took part in the interaction. An elite group of 10 farmers stepped forward to pledge adoption of natural farming in the coming Rabi season itself.
This follows two previous workshops held at Lalchian in April this year and at Bhagat Puran Singh natural farm in August this year where good number of farmers have evinced interest in getting good productivity through natural farming techniques. The methodology includes instruction for germination, organic input production, and natural pest control as well as the art of combining crops for better results. Farmers discussed paddy crop-related pathological as well as entomological problems. Expert guidance and visible models were provided in the form of evidences and advisories for the groups.
Gunbir Singh, chairman, EcoAmritsar, said: “It is hoped that these interactions will nurture a group of cultivators of non-toxic food, which will be a game-changer for health and prosperity in the region. Punjab paddy and wheat syndrome is expanding with even the cotton belt adopting the same. The trend is worrisome in a state that is already reeling under groundwater depletion. The other aspect is spread of fatal diseases in the farming community as well as among consumers in the state that can be directly attributed to toxins.”
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