Panaji, Nov 25 (IT): The Goa government is asking farmers to adopt a novel technique in order to improve the crop yield in the state -- chant ancient Vedic 'mantra' (hymns).

An official of the agriculture department on Friday said the state government has been advising farmers to adopt what they call 'cosmic farming'.

The farmers need to chant Vedic mantras for at least 20 days in the farm for better quality and quantity of their crops.

He added the government has been holding talks with institutions like the Shiv Yog Foundation and Brahmakumaris who have expertise in this field.

Agriculture minister Vijai Sardesai and agriculture director Nelson Figueiredo recently visited Guru Shivanand in Gurgaon in Haryana, the promoter of Shiv Yog Krishi, to see how 'cosmic farming' can benefit farmers in Goa.

Farmers are being explained importance of 'cosmic farming' under the guidance of Shiv Yog Foundation, Figueiredo said.

"The believers of cosmic farming claim that mantra draws the energy of universe into the field and helps the seeds to sprout better and gives quality yield," he said.

Importance is being given to organic farming practice in Goa so that environmental stress due to use of fertilisers and chemicals reduces.

"India is at the centre of an organic revolution that is set to take the world by storm and Goa wants to contribute to this in a big way," Figueiredo said.

The state government is also in touch with Sustainable Yogic Farming project of the rural development wing of the Brahmakumaris.

"They (Brahmakumaris) claim that over 1,000 farmers in India are combining organic farming with meditation and it is showing remarkable results," Figueiredo added.

Figueiredo said farmers are also educated on how sustainable yogic farming can result in lower costs and reduce the pressure on environment.

Earlier this year too, Sardesai had said the state's paddy yield would increase if its farmers chanted vedic mantra in their fields and adopted "cosmic farming" techniques.