During the valedictory session of the National Summit on Agro and Food Processing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed farmers through video conference. The event took place in Gujarat, in which the farmers were provided with information about the benefits of natural farming.
“About 8 crore farmers have joined us today, the conclave’s impact will not just be in Gujarat, but countrywide, benefitting all farmers. Food processing, natural farming, all these issues will help in transforming the farm sector,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, during the conclave. The event focused on disseminating information about the strategies of natural farming and the need for adopting the same. The PM also emphasized Zero Budget Natural Farming to minimise the dependence on purchasing materials. Cow dung of local cows and urine are some key ingredients of natural farming along with some traditional strategies such as mulching the soil with biomass and keeping the soil with green cover around the year and also during the availability of low water would help the farmers without any purchasing materials.
He also pointed out certain initiatives that took place in the past six-seven years. The government has supported the farmers and adopted several new initiatives such as soil testing, providing a strong network of irrigation, Kisan rail and so forth.
Focussing on natural solution, he said, “We’ve to take agriculture out of chemistry labs and link it with nature’s laboratory. When I talk about a natural laboratory, it is completely science-based…From seeds to soil; all solutions can be brought in naturally.”
He further added, “Natural farming will benefit 80% of small-scale farmers in the country. These farmers have less than 2 hectares of land and spend a lot on chemical fertilizer… but using natural fertilizers will benefit them.”
Home Minister Amit Shah had also joined the event. He talked about the establishment of a laboratory that would audit and certify organic products. Such a step would also encourage organic farming. Shah said, “We are trying to establish a laboratory in the country that will audit land and certify organic products so that farmers get more prices. Amul and others working on it. This will encourage organic farming.” Pressing the need for organic farming, Shah said: “From 2019 onwards, PM Modi has appealed to farmers for organic farming…such as manure out of cow dung improves land fertility…Organic production is the need of the hour.”
During the National Summit, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, said, “After Gandhi and Patel, under PM Modi’s leadership, India has gained global recognition. There was a time when India was overlooked, but today no country’s agenda is fulfilled without India’s consensus.”
The summit is organized from 14-16 December 2021. The farmers were connected live through the central institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Krishi.