Patna: Agriculture department principal secretary Narmadeshwar Lal has urged people to consume organically produced foodgrains, fruits and vegetables, warning that chemically grown produce could lead to serious diseases, including cancer.Addressing a workshop on organic farming at Krishi Bhavan on Monday, Narmadeshwar said items grown using fertilisers make people vulnerable to multiple health risks. The participants included farmers engaged in organic cultivation.“The organically produced consumable agricultural and horticultural products cost high, but it should be realised that they are health-giving and very beneficial,” Narmadeshwar said. He added the govt is promoting organic farming and organising workshops to encourage farmers to adopt such methods.He said efforts are also being made to certify organic produce, as availability in the market remains limited and reliability is often questioned. “The fact is that the consumption of foodgrains, fruits and vegetables produced by using chemical fertilizers are like taking an intake of poison. Therefore, the use of organically cultivated products has become a necessity,” Narmadeshwar said.Farmers shared their experiences during the workshop. Kameshwar Singh Kushwaha from Vaishali said production is initially low in organic farming but improves within two to three years, with higher returns. “I am earning profits by selling my products in 11 states,” Kameshwar said.A farmer from Saran said practising multi-crop organic farming has improved both yield and income. Another farmer from Vaishali said the department should promote organic farming through social media platforms.Special secretary Virendra Prasad Yadav, agriculture director Saurabh Suman Yadav and additional secretary Kalpana Kumari were present.
