Tamil Nadu: Extra farmers go natural seeking higher yield | Coimbatore Information
COIM(BA)TORE: In 2012, when eriophyid coconut mite infested coconut plantations, many of the coconut farmers determined to cut the timber off. Ok Ponraj Prabhu, a farmer from Pannimadai in Coimbatore district stopped the utilization of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and pesticides on his farmland hoping that the timber would get well by itself.
As an alternative, he started utilizing natural manure like inexperienced manure and over a time period, not solely did his timber get well but in addition the standard of the coconuts and soil improved. Since then he has been cultivating greens, fruits, fodder, espresso and coconut within the natural method and about 5 years in the past, he had obtained a certificates from Tamil Nadu natural certification division (TNOCD). Identical to him, about 6,000 farmers within the state have additionally registered 66,881 acres of space beneath natural farming, until date.
The realm beneath natural farming in Coimbatore district has elevated by 134.5% , from 28,514 acres in 2019 to 66,881 acres in 2020. That is the most important conversion that has taken place up to now 13 years for the reason that division was established to examine and certify natural farming in accordance with the central authorities’s Nationwide programme for natural manufacturing, mentioned M Subbiah, director of TNOCD.
He additionally mentioned they’re planning to extend the realm beneath natural farming and the agriculture division has teamed up with the horticulture division to encourage the farmers to hitch the natural farming motion. “Because the certificates is legitimate in all of the nations apart from the United States, farmers who’re exporting their produce to international nations are coming ahead to get the certificates. Many of the farmers who had obtained the certificates are producing export value-oriented merchandise like turmeric, moringa leaf, espresso and tea. Not simply that, consciousness stage amongst farmers have additionally elevated significantly,” mentioned Irene Priyadharshini, assistant director of agriculture, TNOCD.
Explaining that the Nilgiris is working to show itself into an natural district for the previous few years, she mentioned the variety of farmer teams who obtained the certificates is excessive in Nilgiris adopted by Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri and Salem. “Coimbatore is excessive in case of particular person farmers,” she mentioned.
Mentioning that they examine the farmland yearly to make sure natural farming strategies are adopted and cancel the certificates if it was discovered in any other case.
Many farmers are keen to undertake natural farming however are hesitant due to the effort and time it requires, however officers hope higher consciousness will make them change their minds.
