Governor Acharya Devvrat has appealed the field officers of agriculture department and other line departments to make zero budget natural farming practice successful in the State.He was presiding over the training camp on zero budget natural farming under 'Prakritik Krishi Khushal Kisan Yojana' organized by the Agriculture Department at State Agricultural Management, Extension and Training Institute, Mashobra near Shimla, today. The camp was organized for the officers of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry Departments.He said that during this month under the scheme, three training camps have been organized in different parts of the state and seeing the enthusiasm of people in these camps, he has full confidence that the farmers were ready to adopt natural farming system. Now, the liability belongs to the affiliated departments related to the farmers that they accelerate its implementation and work towards its success with sincere and complete dedication, he added. He said that the authorities should do this task without any pressure.“It is our moral responsibility that if we do not work honestly during our tenure while staying there, in the profession we have chosen and in which department they are employed, then not only have they deceived themselves but also cheated the department”, said Acharya Devvrat.
Acharya Devvrat said that despite the excessive use of chemical fertilizers, the production was declining today and inspite of heavy chemical spray schedule on fruit plants, they were not sustainable for long. It is clear from this that the fertility of the land was getting impaired and the resistive capacity of plants has also been reduced, he said. He expressed concern over the fact that the availability of water for irrigation purpose was also not sufficient. Therefore, it was necessary we bring qualitative improvement in the agricultural system, which requires the implementation of natural farming seriously, he added.The Governor called upon departments affiliated to agriculture to shift towards zero budget natural farming. He said that animal husbandry has important role in natural farming practice, for which the department should promote the indigenous cow breed, including Sahiwal, Lal Sindhi, Tharparkar etc. and should work towards breed improvement. He also emphasized the need for training of pharmacists of Animal Husbandry Department and asked them to investigate the fodder given to the animals and said that he has reports that urea was being used in the fodder. He stressed for developing Gau Shala at block level.On this occasion, the Governor also shared his experience on zero budget natural farming.Earlier, Shri Rakesh Kanwar, Project Director, Zero Budget Natural Farming welcomed the Governor and said that if the farmers adopt this practice, the department would also make necessary changes in their policies. He gave detailed information about the framework related to natural agriculture.Dr. Des Raj Sharma, Director Agriculture proposed a vote of thanks.