Rewa: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Wednesday said natural farming had emerged as an effective tool to empower small and marginal farmers while addressing a Krishak Sammelan in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
At the event, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and several other dignitaries were present. During his address, Shah cited Basavan Mama Govansh Van Vihar as a successful experiment that promoted natural farming in the Rewa region.
According to Shah, farmers had gradually moved away from traditional practices over the years. However, he stressed that natural farming relied on cow dung and cow urine to maintain soil fertility and crop quality. As a result, the method ensured stable farmer income and delivered pure and healthy produce.
Explaining the model, Shah said farmers practised natural farming on up to 21 acres using just one indigenous cow. Moreover, the system avoided fertilisers and pesticides entirely. He added that this approach helped conserve water and reduced health risks for consumers.
Currently, Shah said, nearly 40 lakh farmers across the country had adopted natural farming. Consequently, many of them were witnessing improved yields and better income stability.
Cooperatives to expand natural farming certification and outreach
Through the Ministry of Cooperation, Shah said, the government had set up two national cooperatives to support natural farming. These cooperatives would handle certification of organic produce and scientific testing in advanced laboratories.
In addition, the cooperatives would oversee packaging, branding, marketing and exports. Shah said more than 400 laboratories would soon function across the country to certify farms and produce as natural, thereby increasing farmer income by up to one and a half times.
Highlighting global trends, Shah said demand for organic food was rising worldwide as consumers increasingly linked it to better health. Therefore, he stressed the need for a strong system that combined certification, testing and marketing to help Indian farmers reach international markets.
Apart from agriculture, Shah urged people to take responsibility for nature. He called on citizens to plant at least five peepal trees, noting that the species released high levels of oxygen.
Turning to regional development, Shah said the Rewa region was steadily transforming into a growth centre. Notably, he pointed out that Asia’s largest solar power plant operated in Rewa, while new four-lane roads now connected the region to Prayagraj and Jabalpur.
Later, Shah recalled that the day marked the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He said Rewa was among Vajpayee’s favourite places.
Reflecting on Vajpayee’s legacy, Shah said the former Prime Minister stood for integrity and transparency in public life. He described him as a rare leader whose words and actions always aligned.
