New agriculture policy on the anvil in K'taka

Bangalore, Mar 14 (UNI) The Karnataka Government will soon announce a new agriculture policy with the thrust on organic farming, Agriculture Minister Bandeppa Kashempur informed today.

Talking to reporters here, he said the Government would conduct several taluk-level studies and workshops on ogranic farming for its inclusion in the new agricultural policy. The study reports were expected by April 15, based on which the new agriculture policy would be framed, he added.

''The taluk-level studies will focus on the crop pattern, production and local market facilities in each of the 176 taluks,'' he said.

Regarding organic farming, Mr Kashempur said the Government was exploring the possibility of adopting the method formulated by Subhas Palekar. Palekar's method of natural farming with zero investment was picking up in Maharashtra and Karnataka farmers were demanding its adoption in the State. Workshops would be conducted in this connection.

He said the Government was planning to extend the present district-level of organic farming to the taluk-level.

UNI SIV GD TS1858