Over 9.75 lakh farmers have switched to natural farming in Gujarat, an increase from last year.
In a recent media interaction, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat highlighted a notable trend with more than 9.75 lakh farmers adopting natural farming practices, reflecting a growth of over one lakh compared to last year. “The shift towards natural farming is part of the Centre’s mission to promote sustainability among farmers,” Devvrat stated.
Devvrat, who practices natural farming himself, shared his initiatives, which include establishing clusters of farmers to mentor each other. Each cluster comprises five villages where experienced natural farmers and members of local women’s groups assist others in the transition. “This approach ensures that farmers receive the guidance they need to adapt to sustainable practices,” he added.
“To qualify, farmers in a cluster must have at least one native Indian cow and maintain a model natural farm,” Devvrat explained, emphasizing the role of local women as agricultural assistants. Last year, the governor reported a dramatic increase in natural farming, with the number of farmers practicing it rising from 35,000 in 2019 to over 871,000 in 2023.
During his address, Devvrat also compared the need for natural farming today to what Dr. MS Swaminathan advocated during the Green Revolution, focusing on sustainability and ecological balance. “Back then, agricultural land was abundant, but with modern advancements, we are now able to make significant strides in natural practices,” he remarked.
He discussed the benefits of indigenous cows, noting that one gram of dung from a native cow can produce 300 to 500 crore microorganisms compared to just 18 lakh from Holstein cows. This biological richness plays a vital role in enhancing soil fertility, he explained.
Devvrat praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to launch the National Mission on Natural Farming, reiterating that the excessive use of chemicals and pesticides is detrimental to both human health and the environment. “Natural farming revives the dormant microorganisms and earthworms in the soil, enriching it naturally,” he noted, showing videos from his own 180-acre farm in Haryana where such practices are already in effect.
He also shared his recipe for natural manure, a concoction of cow dung, jaggery, gram flour, and soil, which fosters rapid microbial growth for more robust crop yield. “In just 72 hours, the microorganisms multiply significantly, making it ready to nourish farm acres within a week,” he explained.
Since his appointment as Governor in July 2019, Devvrat has taken steps to enhance awareness of natural farming. He recently expanded the scope of the annual padyatra conducted by students of Gujarat Vidyapith to include all 18,000 villages in the state, emphasizing the adoption of natural farming practices throughout Gujarat.
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