GUWAHATI, Jan 27 � In the backdrop of increasing concern about the hazards of eating food that are produced through widespread use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, the concept of organic cultivation is gradually gaining ground in the State. Taking the concept a step further, Krishi Jigyas is promoting organic container garden, an initiative aimed at providing garden fresh organic vegetables, particularly different varieties of plants used for salad purpose.
Elaborating on the organic container garden, Dr Anuj Baruah of Krishi Jigyas said that this endeavour is to ensure that people living in cities with no open spaces to have their own vegetable garden can have access to fresh vegetables.
�The vegetable plants that we provide in the polythene containers have all the required fertilizers to last the plants till the end of their production season. Even if the plants do get water for a week or gets excess water, they do not die,� said Baruah adding that people are keen to have fresh vegetables that are chemical free.
It needs to be mentioned here that Krishi Jigyas, a sprawling organic farm spanning over 15 bighas of land at Dhupguri, Khetri has brought its produce for the first time to the capital city. The organic vegetables mainly different varieties of exotic lettuce, tomatoes etc are on exhibit and sale at the ongoing first annual flower show at the Departmental Horticulture Nursery, Juripar, Panjabari.
�Awareness about organic products is growing amongst the people. The bio-fertilizers and bio pesticides that we use for our vegetable garden are made at our own farm. Our farm is also open to all. Interested people can drop in and see with their own eyes our work process,� said Baruah mentioning that some more concerted efforts from the government was necessary to popularize organic cultivation.
Krishi Jigyas is also keen to transfer its expertise on organic cultivation to the interested individuals. Baruah said that the market for organic products was expanding and the young people should come forward and take up organic cultivation.
Departmental official ADO Madan Mohan Deuri Bharali said that steps have been taken to promote organic cultivation in the State and in this year more areas would be brought under organic cultivation. �Increasing health consciousness amongst the citizens is one of the factors behind the growing popularity of organic cultivation,� said Bharali.
