India’s Minister of Food Processing Industries, Pashupati Kumar Paras, launched organic manure — Urban Farmer and Apna Khaad, a first of its kind initiative by National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) and Clean Efficient Energy (CEF) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The manure — derived from animal, human and plant residues which contains high quality nutrients in complex organic forms — are suitable for agriculture and horticulture use. The product is known for aiding quality and organic growth of crops.
The event, organised by J&K Horticulture Department, was attended by a large number of people including those from the farming community.
Processing weeds from Dal Lake
Led by Sahil Peerzada, Clean Efficient Energy (CEF) and NAFED recently signed an agreement with J&K Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) to process weeds from the world famous Dal Lake into high quality organic manure.
CEF officials told Gulf News that organic manure is very rich in three top three plant nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, apart from organic carbon and has a good result on all kinds of crops and plantations.
Experts note that organic manure has a positive impact on environment as it increases soil health and protects the environment from harmful chemical fertilisers.
"We are in the process of appointing dealers to supply organic manure to all corners of the state to promote good agricultural practices and make the environment green and healthy,” Feroz Hussain, a CEF official, noted.
Environmentally clean programme
Before concluding the proceedings of the function, Pashupati Kumar Paras welcomed the initative that aims to bring changes in agriculture and horticulture sector of J&K.
The minister hailed the contribution of leading entrepreneurs like Peerzada for investing in environmentally clean programmes.
Paras previously announced that a special team from the Centre will be deputed to the valley to assess the problems being faced by the farming community and redress their grievances.
“CEF Organics, a unit of CEF Group, will help change the way farming is done in the valley from chemical based farming to organic to organic agricultural produce. These high quality organic manures provide natural nutrients to soil and offer better growth to plants and crops. This is the scientific way forward,” Peerzada concluded.
