Yogic farming: Agriculture Minister's solution for farmers' crisis in India

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh has a solution for the farmers’ crisis in the country, and fear not, it is supported by the ruling government: Yogic farming. [caption id=“attachment_2207944” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh. Image courtesy PIB[/caption] Addressing a function attended by agricultural scientists and farmers in Delhi on Sunday, Singh said, “The idea behind Yogic farming is to empower the seeds with the help of positive thinking. We should enhance the potency of seeds by rays of parmatma shakti,” citing studies by a spiritual organisation, reports  The Indian Express. “Every day, farmers should give vibrations of peace, love and divinity to seeds and his farm land with the help of Rajyog, so that it will help increase growth and resistance power,” says one study. But this is not the first time Singh will be courting controversy by his comments directed at farmers. In July, he made a statement in Rajya Sabha citing love affairs, impotency, drugs and dowry among reasons for rising farmer suicides. “According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), causes of (farmer) suicides include family problems, illness, drugs… dowry, love affairs and impotency,” he was quoted saying. Opposition parties, sensing an opportunity, lashed out at the minister for his remarks. “I advise the PM to tell his ministers to go to the house of farmers and see what’s going on,” said Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. “The Central government is kisan virodhi…Modiji is only concerned about five or six of his industrial friends” he said. Singh was forced to clarify later to come out of the foot-in-mouth situation he himself got into following opposition pressure.