Agriculture minister Narendra Singh at Agro Bihar 2012 on Friday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, March 2: The state government would soon implement a scheme to promote organic farming by ensuring subsidies on vermicompost to farmers.

Agriculture minister Narendra Singh announced this today while inaugurating an agriculture exhibition-cum-sale, Agro Bihar 2012, in the state capital.

The exhibition — jointly organised by the state department of agriculture and the Confederation of Indian Industry — will continue at the Bihar Veterinary College grounds till March 5.

Singh said: “Agriculture is the key to the development of the state. Thus, the state government is taking many measures to improve agriculture. Providing subsidies to the farmers of the state to make vermicompost is one such scheme. We are going to start it soon.”

He added: “This scheme is aimed at discouraging farmers from using chemical fertilisers. Excess use of chemical fertilisers results in the loss of nutrients from the soil.”

Singh said farmers would get up to 50 per cent subsidy under this scheme

Sources said companies from 12 states, including Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, New Delhi and Madhya Pradesh, are taking part in the fair. Some companies from Denmark, Dubai and the US are also participating.

Agriculture equipment like tractor, laser land leveller, zero tillage and seed-drill machine are available at the fair.

Officials of the agricul- ture department are also providing subsidies to the farmers on the spot to purchase different equipment.