In a bid to provide a push for natural farming, Karnataka has decided to develop demonstration plots of natural farming on an experimental basis in 990 clusters of different districts, according to Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy.

The Minister said this after holding consultations with farmers’ organisations that are involved in natural farming and officials concerned on implementation of Dr. Subhash Palekar model of natural farming in the State.

Certification process

Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said the government would also take measures to put in place a system for certification of natural farming produce. New schemes were also being introduced to ensure value addition to the crops in a bid to secure remunerative incomes to farmers, he said.

He said natural farming was being promoted to ensure sustainability in farming as part of measures to economically empower farmers besides taking care of soil health and protection of environment. He said the government would take measures to promote chemical-free farming practices, including organic farming in dry-land zones.