Vatavarn Atey Samaj Bachao Morcha (VSBM) demands for Promotion of Organic Farming in Punjab to tackle Uranium toxicity.

16/06/2012

 VSBM demands declaration of environmental emergency and implementation of organic farming to contain uranium toxicity in Punjab.

On Thursday Union Rural Development Minister Jai Ram Ramesh issued a statement that Punjab Government is yet to send a proposal on measures to control uranium toxicity in the state. Uranium had been detected by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in water in various districts of the state. BARC had listed Phosphate fertiliser as the source of the uranium. The Government of Punjab should have acted on this report and stopped the use of phosphate fertiliser and initiate the process of promotion of organic farming in Punjab, as had been demanded by the various Environmental organizations. But till now no such mandate has been initiated by the government.

The current government had in its electoral agenda declared that it shall promote organic farming. In addition to that, it has said to have instituted Organic farming council as a part of State Action Plan on Climate Change. We are yet to know what kind of functions it is performing.

The people of state demand the government to wake up from the policy paralysis and initiate the organic farming model in Punjab. We also want Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to accept the flaws of the green revolution model and steer the state towards the sustainable option. We can no longer hide from the fact that Green Revolution model has brought the state into the current degraded state.

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Organic farming doesn’t need the NPK fertilisers, dangerous pesticides. It is pro- nature, uses lesser amount of water, improves soil health and promotes biodiversity in which farm based material is used as fertilisers. Organic farming is labour intensive thus it generates employment. The subsidy currently being given to chemical intensive farming should be diverted to organic farming. Within a little span of time we will be able to produce the crops in same amount and better in quality. We also appeal to masses of the state to no longer allow their wealth to be spent on poisoning their own generations.  

Government cannot cheat us in the name of food security, when it is not able to manage the bumper crops which the farmers are producing irrespective of their harming quality.

Organic Farming or Kudarti Kheti is in tune with our cultural heritage of Punjab, which is for love of rivers, earth and air and also celebrates the vocation which Guru Nanak undertook .With Uranium and pesticides out, Punjab state can be released from the toxicity issue.