Governor Acharya Devvrat gave a clarion call to the people associated with agriculture activities to understand the methods and ways of preparing components of zero budget natural farming so that it could be given a practical shape and more people could come forward to adopt it and be benefitted.The Governor was addressing the farmers on the closing day of three day Farmers Training Camp of “Prakritik Kheti Khushhaal Kisan Yojana” under Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) organised by the Agriculture department at Government Degree College Bassa at Development Block Gohar in Mandi district today.He said that natural farming was being done by him on 175 acres of land in Gurukul, where not even a single rupee was spent on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. He said that he wanted to take this mission to the farmers of the State. He congratulated the State Government to understand his mission of natural farming and made budgetary provision of Rs.25 crore. He hoped that the people of the State would come forward and adopt it for the benefit of future generations. He also detailed various aspects of natural farming and benefits of Jeevamrit and Ghanjivamrit and other pesticides prepared naturally.He said that natural farming was a better option for making the farmers self-reliant and said that the produce out of natural farming helped not only in healthy living but was environment friendly too.
Dr. Ram Lal Markanda, Agriculture Minister welcomed the Governor and said that ZBNF was being adopted under the able guidance of the Governor in the State and the Chief Minister and he himself had visited Gurukul Kurukshetra for practically observing the outcomes of natural farming and after that it was implemented in the State.He said that through Agriculture department, camps were being organized and after Palampur it was second camp and third one would be organized in Kandaghat in Solan District. He added that it was the first step towards the prosperity and by the implementation of this system not only the economy of farmers would be strengthened but people would lead a healthy life. He said that it was an awareness camp and similar camps would be organized upto village level to impart knowledge of natural farming in near future.Vinod Kumar, MLA from Nachhan welcomed the Governor and Minister on the occasion and said that it was for the first time in the state that such a noble system was being implemented by the Chief Minister under the guidance of Governor. He said that various development activities were being started in Nachhan constituency during last five months and he thanked the Chief Minister for upgrading various schools of the assembly segment.
Shri Onkar Sharma, Principal Secretary, Agriculture thanked the Governor for providing guidelines for implementing the Zero Budget Natural Farming in the State. He said that the farmers of the area were not using chemical fertilizers in a big way so it was easy for its adoption. He added that it was the second camp in the series organized by Agriculture department in assistance with other line departments to help the farmers for natural farming.Dr. Wazir, Master Trainer of ZBNF gave detailed presentation on the subject and briefed about the benefits and various aspects of natural farming.Shri Rakesh Kanwar, Project Director, Zero Budget Natural Farming proposed vote of thanks. Dr. Shashikant Sharma, Advisor to Governor, Shri Rugved Thakur, Deputy Commissioner, Mandi and Shri Gurdev Chand, Superintendent of Police, Dr. Des Raj Sharma, Director, Agriculture, senior officers of Agriculture department and District Administration, prominent people and progressive farmers of Gohar Sub-Division were also present in the camp.