Farmers’ groups and the Opposition on Thursday criticised Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam’s proposal to ban chemical fertilisers. The leaders said that the Minister had not done his homework and the move would not be beneficial to the agricultural sector.
Raju Shetty, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) leader and Lok Sabha MP, “The idea of banning chemical fertilisers at this stage is ridiculous. It will not only lead to a decrease in farm production but also increase the prices of produces. Common citizens will not be able to buy the goods.”
Mr. Kadam, while addressing a function organised by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on Wednesday, said, “The plastic ban was an essential step to save the rivers, the seashore and the sea. While it is affecting the biodiversity, it also leads to serious impacts such as temperature rise. Unregulated use of chemical fertilisers in agriculture leads to poisonous traces in food grains. This affects the health of consumers. My department is seriously considering banning chemical fertilisers.”
Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, said, “This government seem to be running on the whims of Ministers and not on the study of a particular subject. The plastic ban was pushed in a similar manner without doing any homework which has led to lakhs of people losing their jobs in the industry.”
Mr. Vikhe-Patil said organic farming would be the better option, but considering the volume of fertilisers required in agriculture, it is impossible to fulfil the demand. He said, “Does he want to make agriculture in Maharashtra collapse? We hope that sense finally prevails and the Minister does not rush to make such an announcement.”