Courtesy earthworms, hair, weed easily converted to manure in 2003, the government ordered the closure of several hair processing units, which made wigs, in Karnataka because of pollution. Burning of hair resulted in toxic elements, which caused allergies. The problem with human hair is it takes hundreds of years to decompose (see

PALAKKAD: Subash Palekar, an advocate of natural farming popularly known as

The problems of fertiliser shortages have not been overcome, with small growers not being provided enough fertiliser. Small growers say that if Urea is not given to their crops, their rice, chillies, sugarcane and cotton crops would be destroyed, causing financial havoc for the growers.

Karimnagar, July 30: Farmers of Nareddypalli in Ellanthakunta mandal in Karimnagar have been harnessing nature's wisdom to enhance output and control pests even as their comrades across the state are agitating against the shortage of fertilisers. Armed with bio-pesticides such as

When Subhash Palekar, an advocate of natural farming dons the role of a teacher for four days from July 21, in Karnataka he will interact with the legislators on the need for chemical-free farming.

S. Rajendran BANGALORE: The Karnataka government is embarking on a major plan to encourage organic farming in the State, and Thursday's budget is expected to have an allocation of funds for this. The State will have a full-fledged wing to monitor organic farming. Experts in agriculture and horticulture and agricultural scientists are being roped in under the plan. A sum of Rs. 100 crore is expected to be set apart for organic farming, including a scheme to motivate farmers to adopt organic farming techniques.

The government is planning to scrap the fertiliser subsidy, the UNP said yesterday. Kalutara District UNP MP, Sarath Ranawaka told a news conference in Colombo, that the government having promised to boost agricultural production was cooking up excuses to deprive the farmers of the meagre fertiliser subsidy. "As in the case of all promises made under the Mahinda Chintana, the stage is being set to forget the fertiliser subsidy as well."

Call it a quirk of fate. When B.S. Yeddyurappa took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka's first BJP government on May 30, 2008, he did so in the name of the farmer. He knew he owed his present position to him. The first decision of his Cabinet was also seen as pro-farmer: the government announced that it would not charge them for the electricity sold to power irrigation pumpsets. However, a few days later, when his police opened fire to control a mob of violent protestors, the first victim, Siddalingappa Choori (35), was a farmer. Several others were wounded.

Kadapa, July 1: The Department of Horticulture is promoting the concept of organic farming in the district. Food products, especially vegetables, grown with the use of fertilisers, chemicals and other chemical sprays are responsible for making the human body disease-prone and new ailments arising. The chemical deposits enter the body through vegetables, cause sickness and affect vital organs of the body. The assistant director of horticulture, Mr V.S. Dharmaja, said that healthy food can be produced through organic farming and by use of organic manure.