Narmadapuram (Madhya Pradesh): Scientists have advised the farmers to keep away from using weedicides and glycoside paraquat for fast ripening of summer Moong (green grams).

These chemicals have an adverse impact on Moong crops and on the environment, they said. The scientists spoke at an agriculture science fair under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) scheme.

An agricultural science fair-cum-exhibition was also held as part of the event at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Govindnagar Bankhedi on March 12. The Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Department organised the event.

Chairman of the District Agriculture Standing Committee, district Panchayat, Narmadapuram, Ajit Singh Mandloi was the chief guest.   Chairperson of Janpad, Bankhedi, Poonam Patel, deputy chairman Bhausahab Bhuskute and others were present at the event.

Member of the board of Indian Agriculture Research Council Niti Raj Patel, deputy director of agriculture JR Hedau, sub-divisional officer of revenue (trainee IAS officer) of Pipariya Anisha Shrivastava, agriculture scientists Vinod Beda, Deepak Khand and others were present at the function. Local MP Darshan Singh Choudhary virtually participated in the event.

The purpose of the agriculture fair was to make farmers aware of advanced agricultural techniques to boost production, Hedau said. If necessary, the farmers should use non-toxic chemicals, like naturally prepared Nimastra, Jeevamrit, Beej Amrit and Ghanjiva Amrit.

Chaudhary, who virtually addressed the farmers, urged them to grow millets and do organic farming.

According to Patel, the environment can be protected with the help of organic farming and by growing coarse grains. Shrivastava appealed to the farmers to learn how to use scientific techniques to grow healthy and more food grains. Mandloi urged the farmers to opt for natural farming by reducing the use of chemicals.

A farmer Bhupendra Patel shared his experiences about organic farming with others during the farmer-scientist dialogue that was part of the event. More than 30 agricultural exhibitions were held at the event. Awards were also given away at the end of the function.