The case for bio-farming

Hathoon Sheriffdeen

BIO-FARMING: ‘If chemical farming moved towards bio farming a country like Sri Lanka can succeed in the agriculture sector.

Traditional farming has moved to chemical farming, that is the main reason the yield of the country agricultural in the long run is very much subjective, Associate Professor of Microbiology, Department of Environmental Science, Tamil Nadu Agriculture University, Dr A. Lakshman said at a workshop organised by Bio Power Lanka on Wednesday.

‘The soil of a country is a source of wealth. We should protect the health of that soil by feeding it with nutrition. Bio farming protects the soil health and enhances a large outcome in the agricultural sector.

The micro and macro organisms add life to soil by their presence and activities. So these organisms enrich the nutrient availability to crops, through bio-fertilizing methods a farm can multiply the availability of a crop, he said.

Many governments like China, Pakistan and India are encouraging the bio-farming in their countries. China’s total rice cultivation is through bio-farming, Dr. Arun Lakshmanan said.

‘We have enough compost methods of farming in our agricultural sector, which is very much encouraging and eco-friendly. This method is very much natural and acceptable by many. But bio-farming enhances a multiple out come from a farm since the stimulating liquid bio fertilizer enriches the root.

This offers permanent protection to the soil and eco-friendly. The cost effectiveness is also a considerable advantage of bio fertilizing when compared to the others, he said. Bio Power Lanka has introduced various bio-fertilizers in Sri Lanka.

The fertilizer is delivered on a personalised method of sales and the company has taken action to create awareness among farmers through the Government, the Director, Bio Power Lanka Kumar Devanayagam said.