Savitha urges shift to organic diet 

Tadepalli: Minister for BC welfare, EWS welfare, handlooms and textiles S Savitha on Saturday said natural farming has evolved into a people’s movement in the state and that organic produce offers significant health benefits to society. 

She noted that demand for organic products is steadily increasing and farmers engaged in organic cultivation are earning better returns.

The minister visited an organic farm in Tadepalli and later interacted with the media. She said natural farming benefits both the environment and public health. 

While chemical fertilisers may help increase agricultural yields, their excessive use could contribute to serious health issues, including cancer and other diseases, she observed. 

Savitha said awareness among consumers about the advantages of organic food is growing, resulting in strong market demand for such products. She added that farmers cultivating organic crops are able to secure higher profits and urged people to include organic products in their daily diet. 

The minister said natural farming is gaining momentum across Andhra Pradesh and credited Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for encouraging cultivation practices that avoid chemical fertilisers and pesticides. 

She also congratulated the management of the organic farm and the farmers associated with it for promoting organic agriculture. Earlier in the day, Savitha cycled nearly five kilometres from her camp office in Tadepalli to the 15-acre organic farm.

She toured the farm, inspected crops grown through organic methods and enquired about the preparation of organic fertilisers. 

The minister also visited a sales outlet at the farm where organic produce cultivated on the premises, along with products brought by farmers from nearby areas, is sold. She interacted with vendors, enquired about prices and purchased some of the products herself. During the visit, she tasted guava grown on the farm. 

Savitha returned to her camp office on a bicycle as well. On the way back, she stopped at a roadside water kiosk on Patur road and had a glass of buttermilk before continuing her journey.

Kamma Corporation chairman Brahmam Chowdary, coalition leaders Rajasekhar and Kommareddy Kiran, along with party workers and farmers, participated in the programme.