Gandhinagar, June 2 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Tuesday urged newly recruited agriculture personnel to help farmers reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and adopt natural farming, saying the current global situation had underscored the need for greater self-reliance in agriculture.

Speaking at an appointment letter distribution ceremony in Gandhinagar, Patel told newly selected Agricultural Assistants that they had been given an opportunity to contribute to healthier lives and sustainable farming practices by guiding farmers towards reduced fertiliser use and natural cultivation methods.

The programme was organised by the State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department.

While appointment letters were ceremonially handed over to 21 candidates at the event, a total of 415 Agricultural Assistant candidates across Gujarat received their appointment letters via email.

Referring to concerns over fertiliser availability and imports, Patel said: “Prime Minister Modi had called for reducing dependence on imported fertilisers, promoting natural farming and achieving long-term self-reliance.”

He said it would be the responsibility of the newly appointed recruits to take that message to farmers across the state.

Addressing the recruits at the start of their careers, the Chief Minister urged them to embrace innovation in their work, make effective use of technology, and continuously upgrade their skills to better assist farmers.

He also called on them to provide guidance and support to farmers, whom he described as one of the key pillars in the vision of a developed India.

Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani congratulated the successful candidates and said the recruitment process reflected the state government’s policy of transparency, with candidates entering public service on the basis of merit and hard work.

Describing the recruits as “Karmayogis”, Vaghani said: “Agriculture remained the foundation of the country’s economy and joining the department offered an opportunity to serve farmers directly.”

He urged them to ensure that the benefits of government welfare schemes reached farmers in even the most remote areas.

Highlighting what he termed the need of the hour, Vaghani said: “Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides must be curbed to protect soil health.”

He encouraged the newly appointed Agricultural Assistants to create awareness among farmers and counsel them towards natural farming practices.

Agriculture Additional Chief Secretary R.C. Meena welcomed the recruits and outlined the recruitment process, while senior officials of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department and the Directorate of Agriculture also attended the ceremony.

–IANS

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