AGARTALA, September 10 (TIWN): A round table meet cum workshop on ecological farming towards sustainable agriculture was organized by Pro-Mass in collaboration with ASHA (New Delhi) DRCSC (Kolkata) at Agartala Press Club here today.

Speaking in the workshop Minister for Agriculture Aghore Debbarma said that intensive agriculture practiced without adherence to the scientific principles and ecological aspects has led to loss of soil health, and depletion of freshwater resources and agro biodiversity. With progressive diversion of arable land for non-agricultural purposes, the challenge of feeding the growing population without, at the same time, annexing more forestland and depleting the rest of life is indeed daunting. Further, even with food availability through production/procurement, millions of marginal farming, fishing and landless rural families have very low or no access to food due to lack of income-generating livelihoods, he added.

He further said that we are actually trying to find out some alternatives to these problems through some resource management. This aims at increasing crop diversity, productivity and sustainability. This would also enable the farmers to think scientifically, make them self sufficient regarding production and supply of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. It will also make them aware about importance of framing in tune with the nature and its laws, he mentioned.