Organic farming yet to make a mark

KOCHI: The Organic Kerala Charitable Trust in association with Rajagiri Outreach and Sacred Hearts College, Thevara, will organise the ‘Organic Farming Fest-Organic Kerala 2012’ from April 29 to May 2. The exhibition of organic products will be held at Ernakulam Town Hall. The workshop in connection with ‘Organic Kerala’ will be held at Ashirbhavan and the meeting and training programme will be held at Sacred Hearts College between April 29 and May 2.According to a statement issued by the Organic Kerala Charitable Trust, though the Union Government had declared a national policy on organic farming, the Agricultural Universities, Agricultural Science Department and Agricultural Development Agencies are yet to take steps to implement it.“The organic farming sector in the state is yet to mark a progressive growth, owing to the non-implementation of training programmes in this sector and non-lending of financial aid for promoting the farmers,” the statement added.Numerous studies show that pesticides can adversely affect the nervous system, increase the risk of cancer and decrease fertility.  “Organic farms have a double economic benefit as they are more profitable and economically feasible,” the statement pointed out.The organic fest will mainly focus on promoting the farming of domestic tube crops like yam,  fruits including mango, jackfruit, guava and vegetables like drumstick and tamarind, without using chemical fertilizers.