Farmers told to reduce chemical use, adopt natural farming practices

Resource persons speaking at the 40th foundation day of Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI) in Dharwad have urged farmers to reduce the use of chemicals by adopting natural farming.

Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) Managing Director Rajesh Amminabhavi, who inaugurated the programme, asked farmers to conserve water and soil and improve productivity by adopting natural farming practices.

He stated that WALMI has been rendering valuable services in water and land conservation for the past 40 years.

“The institution exists solely for public service. Farmers and engineers should voluntarily visit WALMI and make proper use of the opportunities. Trainees should become ambassadors of WALMI’s activities and warriors of water and land conservation. Since engineers of the Water Resources Department work continuously with farmers, they should listen to farmers patiently and work with hope and confidence without losing morale under any circumstances,” he said.

KNNL Chief Administrative Officer R.N. Rudresh said that only farmers truly understand the importance of every drop of water.

“Today, valuable natural resources like soil and water are being polluted due to plastics and chemicals and the groundwater level is declining. Chemical usage should be reduced and the tradition of water and land conservation should be carried forward,’’ he said.

WALMI Director Girish Maraddi said that the institute gave training over 15,499 farmers and engineers and others during the financial year 2025-26, till the end of December 2025.

“Information on successful farmers from six command areas has been collected. Demonstrations and research and field days on crops such as sugarcane, soybean, DSR paddy, green gram, pigeon pea and safflower have been conducted on the institute campus to educate farmers,” he said.

“Water harvesting structures have been established on the WALMI campus and research is being carried out by scientifically measuring groundwater levels. Awareness is being created through WALMI outlets and special days are being observed to disseminate information,” he said.

The former director of WALMI Rajendra Poddar, National Forensic Sciences University Director Manjunath Ghate, J.R. Dhavale, B.Y. Bandivaddar and others were present, according to a release.