SGPC to expand area under organic farming for langar

SGPC’s move will promote organic farming in the state and encourage farmers to shun use of chemicals.

AMRITSAR: After successfully setting up organic farms to grow vegetables for the community kitchen of the Golden Temple, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to expand the area under organic farming.

During a seminar held at Gurdwara Gurusar Satlani Sahib Hoshiarnagar, 20 km from here, SGPC member Rajinder Singh Mehta said, “SGPC initiated organic farming on 13 acres three years back. After getting support from all sectors, we have planned to expand the area.”

Centre’s agriculture department director Dr Krishna Chandra, who was also in attendance, appreciated the initiative.

“The move will promote organic farming in Punjab and encourage farmers to shun use of chemicals. Central government will cooperate with the SGPC and is ready to train its employees in organic farming training centre at Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh,” said Chandra. He added that the department is making efforts to persuade farmers to adopt pronature methods of farming.

“As Satlani Sahib village has become a model for farmers in this respect, more seminars will be held in future and arrangements will be made to bring more farmers here,” he said.