For the past few days it has been widely noticed that the vegetables available in our market are full of toxic chemicals and pesticides which are applied to it during cultivation. The main problem is that people do know the fact but they are not left out with a choice than to depend on the vegetables available in the market. There are around 230 registered pesticides of which around 110 are used by farmers on a regular basis. Most of these pesticides are applied far more than required(like 10 times more) for immediate pest elimination. Some farmers also use residual pesticides like methyl perathione, furadan and monocrotophus which remain in the crop for 45 days after spraying. These are banned for use on vegetables and fruits as it is deadly dangerous to human body. Thus it is the need of the hour to start educating ourselves about the extent of harm these chemicals can do to our body and to try reducing the over-dependence on vegetables available in the common market.
This is possible only if we are ready to cultivate vegetables and fruits on our own to whatever extent possible. Government of Kerala and the 'Krishi Bhavan' has been promoting the cultivation of fruits and vegetables at our houses. In some houses where the space is an issue, terrace farming can be done. In-fact, terrace farming in kerala has been gaining a lot of popularity in the past few years due to its effectiveness.
Terrace farming is quite an easy way of producing vegetables at home. This is done on the roofs of houses using gunny bags or even flower pots. Through proper care, it is as good as in-land cultivation. Adequate shade from the sun is necessary as there are chances of the plant getting damaged due to excess sun. The most commonly planted seedlings on rooftops include peas, bitter-guard, ladies-finger etc. If this is made a practice, the dependence on the market vegetables can be drastically reduced (except for those that cannot be grown in our climate).
Proper awareness about the usage of chemicals and pesticides and the various complications that arises out of them in due time has to be spread among the common people. People are generally reluctant to look into these issues and are sometimes lousy to do a bit of farming as they are used to buying the vegetables from the market. this attitude has to change, only then can you live a healthy life.
For details of vegetable farming, visit the nearest horticulture departmental office or Krishibhavan. There are enough schemes and subsidies to get you started.
Go green, live a healthy life!!
This is possible only if we are ready to cultivate vegetables and fruits on our own to whatever extent possible. Government of Kerala and the 'Krishi Bhavan' has been promoting the cultivation of fruits and vegetables at our houses. In some houses where the space is an issue, terrace farming can be done. In-fact, terrace farming in kerala has been gaining a lot of popularity in the past few years due to its effectiveness.
Terrace farming is quite an easy way of producing vegetables at home. This is done on the roofs of houses using gunny bags or even flower pots. Through proper care, it is as good as in-land cultivation. Adequate shade from the sun is necessary as there are chances of the plant getting damaged due to excess sun. The most commonly planted seedlings on rooftops include peas, bitter-guard, ladies-finger etc. If this is made a practice, the dependence on the market vegetables can be drastically reduced (except for those that cannot be grown in our climate).
Proper awareness about the usage of chemicals and pesticides and the various complications that arises out of them in due time has to be spread among the common people. People are generally reluctant to look into these issues and are sometimes lousy to do a bit of farming as they are used to buying the vegetables from the market. this attitude has to change, only then can you live a healthy life.
For details of vegetable farming, visit the nearest horticulture departmental office or Krishibhavan. There are enough schemes and subsidies to get you started.
Go green, live a healthy life!!
