Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that the Indian farmers used natural agricultural methods to increase soil productivity before the development of modern technologies therefore protection of gauvansh was mandatory.
"When the industrial revolution took place in Europe and India moved towards slavery, traditional farming in the country came under attack and that was the beginning of our defeat. Even though after independence the nation became self-sufficient in food grains, it was unable to escape its negative repercussions,” Yogi said.
The chief minister was speaking at the state-level Cow Based Natural Farming Workshop-2022 at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. He said this workshop was an effort to preserve Mother Earth's natural state and save India's faith.
The chief minister remarked: “I frequently interact with the public during Janata Darshan and I have found that 10 out of every 100 applications that we receive are for financial aid for people with critical illnesses. Assistance is being provided to them from the CM Relief Fund, but I am also interested in learning about the cause of their illnesses. Food is a contributing factor in this. When adults should be contributing to mankind and the well-being of the world, they are afflicted with diseases. This is something to be worried about.”
The chief minister proposed two additional measures to prevent illness -- save the Indian breed of cows and help conserve and preserve the actual potential of the soil by boosting its fertility through cow-based farming.
“This initiative aims to protect both the present and the future. The prime minister incorporated cow-based natural farming in the Union budget and put it into mission mode. In 2021, the prime minister launched this initiative from Varanasi. The state has also endorsed this programme,” he said.
By establishing 235 clusters in seven districts of Bundelkhand with 47 development blocks and 11,750 hectares of land, the state government began to provide incentives for cow-based natural farming, he added.
The chief minister said that the goal was to promote natural farming and cow-based nurseries in areas situated on the banks of the river Ganga, and to expand horticultural crops, in order to preserve the unceasing flow of the river as well as its purity.
“The state's 27 districts that would practice cow-based farming were chosen. The state government has earmarked 62,200 hectares for such farming while 1,244 clusters are being created for this,” Yogi remarked.
The chief minister asserted, “We will work towards practising natural farming in accordance with the National Mission on Natural Farming. Additionally, the government is promoting it by establishing 470 clusters on 23, 510 hectares in 39 development blocks spread over 23 districts, increasing natural farming on about 100,000 hectares.”
Assuring that the government would continue to take on a lot more responsibilities in promoting natural farming, the chief minister said that there were four state agricultural universities in UP whereas directives had been issued to boost setting up of laboratories for natural agriculture certification.
“By boosting certification in 89 Krishi Vigyan Kendras alongside these universities in the initial phase, a better market will be provided. We have come to the conclusion that special arrangements should be made for the sale of food, fruits and vegetables produced naturally in every market,” the chief minister pointed out.
Expressing concern over the diseases prevailing in the younger people, the chief minister said, “It seems that we have been denied the benefit of their potential and enthusiasm. We are here to save them. I went to Kurukshetra and visited Acharya’s gurukul where I observed the process of advancing farming and animal husbandry. I also saw how horticultural crops can be grown in an advanced manner.”
Addressing the farmers, the chief minister said, “It is a chance for you to grow as a master trainer over the two-day training. We will provide the market and make arrangements to ensure that you receive the highest possible price for natural products.”
The chief minister added that although there was no chance for loss, the government would support farmers who suffered losses after switching to natural farming.
“The prime minister has vowed to double the income of farmers. The minimum support price (MSP) has been increased. By providing subsidies, we broadened agriculture's horizons and offered a good irrigation system,” Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath remarked.
“The state government will support you throughout this campaign,” the chief minister declared as he concluded his remarks, adding, “We will not allow any difficulty to arise.”
