Koppal Deputy Commissioner Dr. Suresh Itnal directed officials to promote integrated organic farming, reduce chemical fertiliser use and strengthen farmer awareness on crop insurance schemes.
Koppal
Koppal Deputy Commissioner Dr. Suresh B. Itnal has directed agriculture and allied department officials to formulate and implement comprehensive plans to promote organic farming across the district, stressing the need to protect soil fertility, public health and ensure sustainable agricultural development.
Chairing a review meeting with officials from agriculture and allied departments at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Dr. Itnal said excessive use of chemical fertilisers in irrigated areas, particularly paddy-growing regions, was adversely affecting both soil quality and human health. He emphasised that organic farming should be given greater priority and called for sustained awareness campaigns to encourage farmers to adopt eco-friendly cultivation practices.
He urged officials to promote integrated organic farming by encouraging sericulture, horticulture and animal husbandry alongside crop cultivation. Stressing the importance of water conservation, he also directed departments to focus on schemes such as farm ponds and check dams to strengthen agricultural sustainability.
Dr. Itnal noted that while soil remains the primary source of nutrients for crops, farmers increasingly rely on chemical fertilisers such as urea and DAP, which supply only limited nutrients. He advised officials to reduce dependence on such fertilisers by guiding farmers towards the use of organic manure, green manure, vermicompost, biofertilisers and other natural nutrient sources to maintain soil health and improve productivity.
The Deputy Commissioner also reviewed the implementation of the Karnataka Raitha Suraksha Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for the 2026-27 kharif season. He instructed agriculture officials to create awareness among farmers about enrolling in the crop insurance scheme before the stipulated deadline. Farmers should also be informed about the self-crop survey facility, enabling them to verify and accurately register the crops they cultivate.
During the meeting, posters prepared jointly by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat and the Agriculture Department to create awareness about the crop insurance scheme were released.
Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat Varnit Negi and senior officials from agriculture, horticulture, forestry, police and other departments attended the meeting.