Bhavnagar, July 2 (IANS) Natural farming should be expanded through public participation to reduce farming costs, improve public health and build a “poison-free India”, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat said while addressing a natural farming seminar at Sartanpar village in Bhavnagar district.

Chairing the seminar, the Governor described natural farming as more than an agricultural practice, calling it a national mission linked to human health, environmental conservation, soil fertility and the well-being of future generations.

He said that excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides had polluted soil, water, air and food, contributed to the rise of serious diseases, and imposed a significant financial burden on the country through fertiliser imports and healthcare expenditure.

“Natural farming is not merely an agricultural practice but a national mission connected with human health, environmental protection, soil fertility and the secure future of coming generations. Let us make natural farming a people’s movement through public participation and build a poison-free India,” Governor Devvrat emphasised.

The Governor said that nature has its own mechanism for maintaining soil fertility and that earthworms, microorganisms and farming based on indigenous cows help improve soil health while promoting rainwater conservation.

In contrast, he added, chemical farming hardens the soil and hinders groundwater recharge.

“Natural farming lowers cultivation costs, improves soil health, produces poison-free and nutritious food and increases farmers’ incomes,” he asserted.

Referring to a scientific study, the Governor said researchers had found traces of pesticides, detergents and urea in breast milk samples collected from 105 women, describing the findings as a “serious warning” for human health and future generations.

Drawing on his tenure as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Acharya Devvrat said: “The success of natural farming had encouraged thousands of farmers there to adopt the practice, with the number now running into lakhs.”

Urging wider participation, Governor Devvrat appealed to every farmer already practising natural farming to encourage at least ten more farmers in their village to adopt the method.

He also called on local residents to implement natural farming in mission mode.

Minister of State (MoS), Nimuben Bambhaniya, said the Governor had been travelling across Gujarat’s talukas to promote natural farming and expand public participation.

She described natural farming as “a powerful means of farmers’ prosperity”, saying it preserves soil fertility, reduces production costs, ensures poison-free and high-quality crops and contributes to higher farm incomes.

“The experiences of farmers practising natural farming indicated that the use of Jeevamrut, Ghan Jeevamrut and farming based on indigenous cows was proving economically beneficial,” she noted.

She urged farmers to make greater use of government agricultural schemes, modern technology and market support while adopting natural farming on a larger scale.

Governor Devvrat and MoS Bambhaniya also visited stalls displaying natural farming produce and interacted with farmers.

During the event, the Governor presented Taluka-Level Best ATMA Farmer Awards to four farmers practising natural farming.

–IANS

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