Farmers' Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Dr Ramkrishna Kusmaria has said giving permission for Bt brinjal will hit India's age-old farming system. Bt brinjal will not only affect human health adversely but will also cast ill-effects on environment. Dr Kusmaria was addressing a conference at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala recently.

Punjab

All the farmers in the state will be given Soil Health Certificates in the next two years after conducting tests on the soil of their respective fields, which will help them determine the cycle of profitable crops. Efforts will be made to ensure two crops in maximum areas. Special programmes will be launched in all the districts to help farmers increase their income through related professions.

DIBRUGARH

Karnal: The role of poor quality soils and water resources in enhancing the food production was highlighted in a three-day seminar,

Nishu Mahajan | Chandigarh

Deliberating upon the need to apprise people about the environment hazards caused by burning of agriculture residue or wastes in the fields, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) is organising awareness programmes at the block levels in all 21 districts of the State under a special action plan prepared by the Board to deal with the issue.