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Miller sells organic rice at no profit
As part of a social initiative for a healthy Telangana, Pothuganti Ramesh has started promoting the consumption of organic rice in a big way.
An initiative for a healthy Telangana
Kodad (Nalgonda): As part of a social initiative for a healthy Telangana, Pothuganti Ramesh has started promoting the consumption of organic rice in a big way. He is getting paddy cultivated in about 500 acres by farmers of Chennupalli village in Nadigudem mandal by providing them all necessary inputs. After the harvest, he procures paddy from the farmers at a support price.
The paddy is milled in his Raja Rajeswara Parboiled Rice Mill. He ensures that the rice is low polished to keep all the nutrients in tact in the staple diet of people. Later, he sells it to consumers at no profit. The entire endeavour is meant to increase the immunity of consumers and protect them from various diseases associated with the modern day lifestyle.
Awareness meets are also being conducted in villages every month under the aegis of the miller to educate farmers on the benefits of paddy cultivation using organic methods. A goshala was set up on the premises of his rice mill to produce manure using cow dung and urine. The organic fertilizers used in cultivation of paddy include jeevamrut, beejamrut, panchagavya and neemastra, which promote healthy growth of plants.
He is also taking active part in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to promote sanitation in rural areas. Speaking to The Hans India, Ramesh said ``I took up the campaign to promote the use of organic rice as a social responsibility. Many people are not aware of the harmful effects of consumption of highly polished rice, which looks attractive. The excess polished rice has low nutrient value. The consumption of low polished rice helps keep diseases at bay as it raises immunity levels of the body.’’
Lauding the initiative of the rice miller, Yeleti Venkateswara Reddy, a paddy farmer said ``We are reaping a good harvest by adopting organic methods of cultivation, besides getting a better price for our produce. It also protects the environment from the harmful effects of use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The promotion of organic farming helps curb ryot suicides in the state, which is a matter of grave concern.’’
By V Purnachandra Rao
