-PTI Mumbai: In a bid to help farmers increase soil productivity by appropriate use of fertilisers, Bank of Maharashtra has launched a soil and water health card which will help them ascertain the nutrient status of their farm lands. “It will give farmers the level of nutrients available in their farm land so that they can administer correct dosage of fertilisers. This will help improve soil fertility and crop yield,” bank’s executive...

-The Hindu When Sreenivasan took up farming, the thumb rule was that pesticides would not be used Kochi: As we go about farming the fields using fertilisers and pesticides, who’s tending the dense and diverse vegetation in forests — which have more fruit-bearing trees and edible roots? The question by Subhash Palekar, noted propounder of zero-budget farming, got actor Sreenivasan thinking about modern farming practices. “Everything that’s there to nurture vegetables and fruits...

-TheHansIndia.com Sangareddy: System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a new way of cultivating rice has gained prominence among the farmers of Mulugu and neighbouring villages in Medak district. The new form of cultivation is not just cost-effective, but also yields more than traditional form of rice cultivation. With the new method, it takes only 2 kg of seeds to sow an acre whereas in traditional method it takes 30 kg In SRI method,...

-The Indian Express It will be taken up aggressively to replace Chemical fertilisers: Khadse  The Maharashtra government is drawing up a comprehensive plan to promote organic farming in a phased manner as an alternative to Chemical fertilisers. The Ministry of Agriculture is preparing the draft and special allocations will be made to meet the target. The stress on organic farming reflects the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s view that Chemical fertilisers should be done...

-The Tribune Amritsar: To provide chemical-free ‘langar’ to the devotees visiting the Golden Temple and other historic shrines, the SGPC has decided to adopt organic farming. In the first phase of the project, 5 acres in each of the SGPC-run 35 historic gurdwaras will be covered.   The SGPC is hoping that its initiative would promote organic farming in the state where the people urgently need to get rid of agricultural produce laced...