New Delhi, Jul 1 (IANS): Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has urged the farmers to adopt best agricultural practices for maximising the output in the ongoing Kharif season.

In a letter to the farmers of the country, the Minister has said that with onset of monsoon, sowing of Kharif crops are in progress.

Appreciating the farmers for completing their work with responsibility and dedication even during the difficult time of Coronavirus-triggered lockdown which affected industries and businesses, the Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has been effectively dealing with the Covid-19 crisis.

He said the Rabi crops were harvested and selling procedure completed without any hindrance.

Tomar has mentioned some of the best methods of farming of paddy, the chief Kharif crop, pulses, oilseeds, coarse grains and other Kharif crops grown in the different parts of the country.

He also guided the farmers about control of weeds, usage biopesticides, organic manure and vermicompost, ridge and furrow method of crop planting, seed treatment of pulses with Rhizobium bacteria, balanced use of nitrogenous fertilizers along with potash and phosphorus in accordance with a soil health card, and on the usage of the best irrigation methods.

Tomar said that PM Modi has visualised an 'Atmanirbhar' or self-reliant India keeping agriculture and villages at the centrestage.