Lucknow, July 19 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday, emphasized the need to promote natural farming practices and said that the Union government is considering offering subsidies to encourage natural farming methods.
Speaking at the ‘Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati’ program, the Union Minister highlighted that the consequences of using chemicals and fertilizers to boost agricultural production are evident.
He said while the world is increasingly concerned about global warming and climate change, we ourselves are largely to blame. He warned that the Earth could become uninhabitable for future generations if urgent measures are not taken.
Shivraj said India embodies the principle “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramaya,” meaning everyone should be happy and healthy. “This principle was also reflected in ancient farming practices, which did not rely on chemical fertilizers. At that time, the soil was fertile, and nutritious food was produced. However, as demand increased, so did the use of chemical fertilizers, leading to higher production but also more diseases and the need for special trains like the Cancer Express,” he said.
He said that people are now more concerned about their health and are willing to pay a premium for produce grown without chemicals. He addressed the misconception that natural farming would reduce production, assuring that it would not affect production levels or storage.
He further praised farmers who are successfully growing crops without chemicals and emphasized that the use of pesticides harms soil fertility and disrupts beneficial insects, contributing to global disasters and threatening human existence. To safeguard the Earth’s future, he stressed the importance of promoting natural farming practices.
Chouhan said the union government is committed to promoting natural farming to preserve the Earth’s existence. “The government will provide subsidies to farmers practicing natural farming and will also establish a certification system for them. Additionally, the government plans to compensate farmers for up to three years by depositing funds into their accounts,” he said.
He highlighted that production without chemicals can also enhance taste, and the government is dedicated to this goal. “Continuous efforts are being made in this direction, with scientists working on increasing production without chemicals,” he said.
