Jharsugada: A state-level exhibition of extinct varieties of indigenous paddy was organised by Laxminarayana College on its campus September 21.
The objective of the expo was to introduce young and senior farmers producing extinct varieties of paddy and other crop and spread awareness on organic farming.
Farmers, these days, are choosing high-yielding seeds by using profuse chemical manure. Consequently, traditional paddy and other crop seeds are gradually losing their potential to germinate in the farmlands.
The environmentalists and intellectuals in the district have tried to enhance the use of traditional seeds by providing innovative methods of farming.
Addressing the farmers, drawn from across the district, agricultural deputy director Sebastin Kerketa said if we intend to raise healthy crop, we need to use indigenous seeds with organic manure, prepared from animal waste and bio-degradable plant substances.
Organic farming is not new to India as it is being followed from ancient times. This farming method is primarily aimed at cultivating land and raising crop in such a way as to keep the soil fertility alive and in good health by use of organic waste (crop, animal and farm and aquatic) and other biological material along with beneficial microbes (biofertilizers) to release nutrients to the crops for increased sustainable production in eco-friendly pollution-free environment, he added.
The participating farmers have shown varieties of organic farm produced the district. A wide range of organically produced crop is on display at the exhibition. Those include indigenous rice seeds, green gram, mustard, sunflower seeds, and turmeric.
Farmer Sudama Sahoo of Baragarh has narrated his success story to other farmers. He asserted, “I can produce more by using organic manure and indigenous seeds.”
Successful farmers who had raised organically produced crop were felicitated at the exhibition.
PNN