Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday told officials that there is a need to create awareness among farmers about the worth of using vermi-compost made from cow dung as opposed to chemical fertilizers.
Baghel warned that demanding a sudden change in preference will lead to a negative reaction. If required, workshops of farmers should be held in villages, he said.
He was addressing an event to mark the release of the fortnightly payment for selling cow dung from his official residence cum office.
Baghel said wider publicity was necessary to explain to farmers how vermi-compost is better than chemical fertilizers. This will help to change their mentality.
Apart from the agriculture and horticulture departments, the urban development and forest wings can also procure vermi-compost, he said.
Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said at present half the cow dung procured is converted into vermi-compost. On an average, around 9 lakh quintals of vermi-compost have been produced in the state and around 68,000 quintals have been sold.