Gandhinagar : Addressing the Prakruti Krushi Parisamvad organised at the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, Governor Shri Acharya Devvratji provided detailed guidance on the serious consequences of chemical farming and the benefits of natural farming.
The Governor said he was pleased that a serious subject like natural farming was discussed in the Assembly. Explaining the difference, he said organic farming needs 300 quintals of manure per acre, while natural farming focuses on growing beneficial microorganisms. One gram of dung from an indigenous cow contains over 300 crore microorganisms, and cow urine is rich in minerals. Using Jeevamrut and Ghan Jeevamrut increases earthworms and helpful insects in the soil, naturally improving its fertility.
The Governor said that earlier, diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart attacks were rare, but today even young children are diagnosed with cancer. He also mentioned research showing that even a mother’s milk, once considered pure and life-giving for newborns, now contains traces of urea and pesticides.
During the Green Revolution in India, the organic carbon in India’s soil was 2 to 2.5 percent, but now it has dropped to below 0.5 percent. The Governor said that soil with less than 0.5 percent organic carbon is considered barren. In Gujarat, chemically farmed land has already fallen below this level. As a result, the soil becomes hard, rainwater cannot seep into the ground, and floods may occur. He added that in natural farming, earthworms create small holes in the soil, which help store rainwater underground.
The Governor said that the country spends crores of rupees on subsidies for urea and DAP, and this money can be saved by adopting natural farming. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Natural Village, the National Mission on Natural Farming is being implemented across the country. Due to the efforts of the State Government, more than 8 lakh farmers in Gujarat have adopted natural farming. He said that farmers should initially practice natural farming on a portion of their land. He further urged all members of the Assembly to ensure that one village in their constituency is developed as a ‘Natural Village’ (Prakrutik Gaam). He said natural farming is essential to protect health and the environment. With support of Gujarat Government, this mission has become a mass movement, and he emphasised that it is the only way to safeguard future generations and increase farmers’ income.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel said that natural farming is essential for both the present and the future. Referring to the saying “Pehlu Sukh Te Jaat Nirogi” meaning health is wealth, he said natural farming is the way to ensure good health. He also mentioned Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “Back to Basics” mantra, saying it guides not only natural farming but overall healthy living. He urged people to adopt initiatives like Catch the Rain, tackling global warming, planting trees under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” and promoting chemical-free farming for better health. He said that with the inspiration and guidance of Governor Acharya Devvratji, natural farming has become a mass movement in Gujarat. He said farmers adopting natural farming are helping secure a healthy future for the next generation and expressed confidence that this event would encourage more farmers to adopt natural farming.
On this occasion, Speaker Shri Shankar Chaudhary welcomed everyone and said that natural farming is important to keep air and water clean, which are essential for life. He said Governor has been working sincerely for the people of Gujarat. He added that Gujarat led the freedom movement under Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel, and today Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Shri Amitbhai Shah are guiding the nation and the world through good governance. He highlighted that the Governor is personally visiting villages and meeting farmers to explain the benefits of natural farming. He said the Gujarat Government has made a major budget announcement for natural farming this year. He added that this effort should reach every citizen of Gujarat, not remain limited to the Government, and that the media can play an important role in spreading awareness.
Expressing gratitude on the occasion, Agriculture Minister Shri Jitu Vaghani said that holding a natural farming conference in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly is a matter of pride for the state. He said Governor Shri Acharya Devvratji has given simple and clear guidance on natural farming through this event. He appealed to all members of the House, stating that natural farming is one of the most sensitive issues concerning human life today, and therefore all public representatives should take personal interest in encouraging farmers in their respective areas to adopt natural farming.
This event was attended by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Shri Rushikesh Patel, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shri Purneshbhai Modi, members of the cabinet, MPs, MLAs, former Speaker of the Assembly, former Deputy Speaker, former MPs, former MLAs, Vice-Chancellors of universities, scientists, writers, media editors and representatives, as well as farmers practicing natural farming.