Governor of Gujarat Advocates Natural Farming for Sustainable Agriculture and Prosperity

Gandhinagar, December 3 – Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat has urged farmers to adopt "natural farming," emphasizing that it reduces production costs without compromising yields, while also promoting environmental sustainability and prosperity.

In an interview, Governor Devvrat highlighted that the recently launched National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a visionary initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi aimed at protecting the environment, improving public health, and ensuring farmers' prosperity.

He said, “Farmers who want to leave fertile land for future generations and conserve groundwater should embrace this method of farming.”

Explaining the PM’s vision behind NMNF, Devvrat stated, “Prime Minister Modi has a clear perspective on natural farming — to save Mother Earth, protect the environment, ensure public health, and open pathways to prosperity for farmers. He is deeply concerned about farmers and their well-being.”

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, approved the NMNF as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme on November 25, with a total budget allocation of ₹2,481 crore under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

Natural Farming vs. Organic Farming

Governor Devvrat differentiated natural farming from organic farming, saying, “In natural farming, there is no need to procure external raw materials, resulting in negligible costs, while maintaining high yields. On the other hand, organic farming often requires external inputs, which can increase costs and labor.”

He urged farmers to support the mission, saying, “I appeal to the farmers of India to return to natural farming and join the Prime Minister’s mission, contributing to the nation's development and society's progress while reaping its benefits themselves.”

State and Institutional Support

Governor Devvrat credited PM Modi and Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah for motivating farmers and stakeholders to embrace natural farming. He noted that the Gujarat government has actively supported the initiative, with millions of farmers across the state adopting the practice.

As Vice-Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapith, a university established by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920, Governor Devvrat involved students in promoting natural farming across 14,000 villages in Gujarat.

“Gujarat Vidyapith teaches 1,400 students natural farming practices for six days, equipping them to spread awareness among farmers,” he said.

Governor Devvrat concluded by reiterating that natural farming is a sustainable and cost-effective method that can benefit farmers and the environment, aligning with the larger goal of national progress.