Members Voice Cancer Concern in Western Odisha

ACKNOWLEDGING the growing concern of members over the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides leading to soil degradation and posing serious health issues including cancer, the state government on Wednesday informed the Assembly that it has no specific information about the side effects on human health.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Bhubaneswar

Replying to a question from BJD MLA Dhruba Charan Sahu, Works minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said the government has launched the Balabhadra Jaibika Chasa Mission to promote chemical-free natural farming.

Responding to queries of the Agriculture department in the absence of department minister KV Singh Deo, Harichandan said farmers are more concerned about productivity of food grains and vegetables and as a result using more chemical fertilisers for higher productivity.