The Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, while delivering a special lecture on natural farming during the budget session of the Assembly, stated that this subject is not limited to agriculture alone, but is also deeply connected to human health, environmental protection, and the future of coming generations.
He expressed gratitude to representatives of all political parties and said that this important issue has been raised in the House above party politics, keeping human welfare in mind. He appreciated the efforts of Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini in promoting the Natural Farming Mission, stating that it will have a positive impact on the health of people in the state.
He mentioned that currently around 800,000 farmers in Gujarat have adopted natural farming, and that both the government and opposition are cooperating positively in this direction. Sharing his personal experience, the Governor said that while serving as Principal at Gurukul Kurukshetra, he himself shifted from chemical farming to natural farming.
Recalling an incident, he said that when an employee fainted after coming into contact with pesticides, it compelled him to rethink how harmful chemically grown food could be for human health. He clarified that there is a fundamental difference between organic farming and natural farming.
Organic farming requires large quantities of manure, whereas natural farming is based on microorganisms and involves very low cost. He stated that this method can ensure adequate production and is economically beneficial for farmers.
The Governor warned that excessive use of chemical fertilizers is continuously reducing soil fertility, and the organic carbon level in the country’s land has declined significantly, pushing it towards becoming barren. He cautioned that if timely corrective measures are not taken, future generations may face a shortage of both clean food and potable water.
Highlighting the adverse effects of pesticide-laden farming, he said it is increasing environmental pollution, contaminating water sources, and contributing to the rise in diseases such as cancer, heart ailments, and kidney failure. Presenting natural farming as a solution, he described it as a low-cost, eco-friendly method based on indigenous cows.
It enhances soil fertility by promoting the growth of microorganisms using simple inputs like cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, and gram flour. He added that natural farming can not only improve production but also significantly increase farmers’ income.
In Gujarat, many farmers are earning lakhs of rupees from just one acre of land. The Governor urged all legislators and public representatives to spread awareness about natural farming in their respective areas and to organize training programs.
He emphasized that adopting this method without proper training is difficult, and it should be implemented under expert guidance. On this occasion, various legislators present in the House raised important questions related to natural farming, which Acharya Devvrat answered in detail.
During the discussion, members shared experiences from their constituencies and highlighted how farmers are gradually shifting from conventional to natural farming. Several members expressed curiosity regarding production, cost, training, and market-related aspects, which the Governor addressed using his experience and scientific insights.
He expressed confidence that if everyone works together in this direction, natural farming can help the country overcome health challenges, strengthen the economy, and ensure a safe, healthy, and prosperous future for the coming generations.