Speakers stress on need to return to traditional farming practices at Millet Mela

The third edition of the three-day Millet Mela-26 was inaugurated on Thursday. The event focuses on the theme of natural farming, food production and local consumption.

Speakers at the inaugural session stressed on the need for Indian farmers to return to their traditional agricultural practices. Joint Director of Agriculture M. Ravi and A.P. RySS Chief Technology and Innovation Officer Lakshma Naik said the over-exploitation of the soil due to the use of chemical fertilisers had led to weakening of public health.

Accion Fraterna Ecology Centre Director Y.V. Malla Reddy and Timbaktu Collective Co-Founder C.K. Ganguly, also spoke.

Mr. Malla Reddy said Indian farmers had developed their own practices that were good for soil health, depending on the local agro-climatic conditions. The forced import of food grains from the United States due to food shortage after independence and the green revolution had spoiled the entire food production cycle, which needs to be reversed.

Mr. Ganguly said there was a need to take up a multi-cropping system that was nature-friendly.