Gandhinagar, July 1 (IANS) The Gujarat government has decided to recognise the B.Sc. (Honours) Natural Farming degree offered by Gujarat Natural Farming Science University as equivalent to the B.Sc (Honours) Agriculture degree awarded by the state’s other agricultural universities, a move aimed at providing equal academic recognition and opportunities to students pursuing higher education in natural farming.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday.

Announcing the decision after the meeting, government spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani said the state government had approved equivalence between the two undergraduate degree programmes.

“The state government has decided to grant equivalence to the B.Sc (Honours) Natural Farming programme conducted by Gujarat Natural Farming Science University with the B.Sc (Honours) Agriculture programme offered by other agricultural universities in the state,” Vaghani added.

He said the decision was intended to encourage natural farming while ensuring that students graduating in the discipline receive the same academic recognition and opportunities as those completing conventional agriculture degrees.

“The equivalence was granted after a detailed evaluation of both programmes. The assessment examined the structure of the courses, the credit system, curriculum, practical training and academic qualifications based on the standards prescribed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the National Education Policy 2020 and the recommendations of the Sixth Deans’ Committee,” he noted.

He added that the natural farming programme is based on the Indian natural farming system and a “Back to Basics” approach, with emphasis on nature-based cultivation, indigenous knowledge systems, indigenous seed varieties, cow-based agricultural practices, optimum use of local resources and sustainable agriculture.

Referring to the broader policy context, Vaghani said: “Natural farming was being promoted as a nationwide people’s movement under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gujarat had emerged as one of the leading states in implementing natural farming and recognising education in the field would benefit both farmers and young people.”

The state government emphasised that the decision is expected to provide greater confidence and opportunities for students choosing natural farming as a field of study.

It also described natural farming as a scientific approach that seeks to reduce farmers’ production costs while promoting the conservation of soil, water, the environment and human health, alongside encouraging self-reliant agriculture.

–IANS

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