Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday urged the farmers to grow different varieties of crops during Kharif season keeping in view the type of farmland in order to make farming a 'gainful activity'. In a letter to the farmers across the country, the agriculture minister has exhorted farmers to adopt best agricultural practices in an attempt to ensure maximum production in the ongoing Kharif season.
In his communication, Tomar highlighted a number of good agricultural practices including control of weeds, use of biopesticides, organic manure and vermicompost, ridge and furrow method of crop planting, seed treatment of pulses with rhizobium bacteria, balanced use of nitrogenous fertilizers along with potash and phosphorus in accordance with a soil health card, and using best irrigation methods.
Appreciating the farmers for completing their work with responsibility and dedication even during the difficult time of Coronavirus-triggered lockdown which affected industries and businesses, the Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has been effectively dealing with the Covid-19 crisis.
He said the Rabi crops were harvested and selling procedure completed without any hindrance.
Tomar has mentioned some of the best methods of farming of paddy, the chief Kharif crop, pulses, oilseeds, coarse grains and other Kharif crops grown in the different parts of the country.
Tomar said that PM Modi has visualised an ''Atmanirbhar'' or self-reliant India keeping agriculture and villages at the centrestage.