‘More awareness needed on zero budget cultivation’

Addressing the media, the Padma Sri awardee said, “A huge number of farmers are nowadays undertaking organic and chemical related cultivations. But, there is a poisonous gas release from such cultivation and it leads to global warming. 

The concept of zero budget method is simple, as farmers do not have to procure artificial fertilizers and pesticides.” Explaining further, Palekar said, “For instance, this method involves 30 litres of cow urine and 30 kg of cow dung, six kg of dhal flour and six kg 

of jaggery, mixed in 600 litres of water (for two acres land) and this is called jeevamurutham . 

Farmers, who are ready to undertake crop cultivation should spray jeevamurutham on the field before cultivation, after which the soil will be nutrient-rich.” Expressing concern over the present scenario, he said, “Farmers think of making quick money and take up chemical-dependent cultivation. 

In zero budget farming, they need not opt for artificial methods to ensure the healthy growth of crops.” When asked where such cultivation is being undertaken, Palekar said that farmers in Mumbai and Andhra Pradesh follow this method. “As far as farmers from Tamil Nadu is concerned, they are slowly switching to this method. There should be more awareness,” he said.