Organic farming is the correct tool for farmers to improve soil fertility and the health of the agro-ecosystem, making farming sustainable over longer period.

Speaking at the Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB)'s Sensitisation Programme on Organic Farming for bankers in Dharwad, Dr R.R. Hanchinal, Vice-Chancellor, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (UAS-D), said: “Organic farming can also bailout farmers from debt trap as well. It requires less financial inputs, relied on available resources, ensured better environment and improved health conditions.”

For complete organic farming demonstration, the university has adopted Harugeri and Kamadhenu village in Dharwad district and also has started diploma in organic farming for farmers who have passed SSLC and their children.

“Shortly, UAS-Dharwad will be seeking Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank's association for effective propagation of organic farming concept in north Karnataka,” said Dr Hanchinal.

Organic farming methods are getting importance, awareness and increasingly even illiterate farmers are going for it.

“Looking at the soil health, cost aspect and also environment State governments have begun to give importance to organic farming. The Governments of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have included it in their policies; it is estimated that organic farming extended to two lakh hectares in these states,” said Dr Hanchinal.

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