Going 'green' proves lucrative for farmers (5)

The Ministry of Agriculture revealed agriculture was the country's biggest water polluter as early as 2010, based on a two-year study.

Fertilizers and pesticides have played an important role in enhancing productivity but, in certain areas, improper use has had a grave impact on the environment, the study said.

"The point is that polluted water and a polluted environment make the crops harmful to health. It is necessary and urgent to encourage any attempts to change traditional farming methods through an emphasis on green agriculture," Cheng said.