Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath envisions Uttar Pradesh as the nation’s hub for organic farming. To achieve this, he actively promotes the practice on every possible platform, advocating for the integration of technology to enrich this traditional Indian agricultural method, officials said in a statement here on Thursday.
The Yogi government is extending various facilities to farmers, with a special focus on promoting natural farming in villages along the banks of the Ganga and in the Bundelkhand region. Under this vision, cattle will serve as the cornerstone of progress in natural farming, with even destitute cattle playing a significant role. This farming approach offers several benefits, officials said.
By eliminating the use of toxic chemical fertilisers and pesticides, the health of people, soil, and water resources will see remarkable improvements, they added.
Additionally, the cost of farming will decrease, enabling farmers to achieve better profitability, officials said.
The natural quality of the produce will command premium prices in the market. In the post-pandemic world, where health consciousness has increased globally, the demand for natural and organic products is on the rise. This growing demand will not only enhance farmers’ income but also expand export opportunities. The export potential of natural products aligns with Uttar Pradesh’s impressive export growth, they added.
Over the past seven years, the state’s exports have doubled, increasing from Rs 88,000 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 1,70,000 crore in 2023-24, officials pointed out.
These advancements are paving the way for sustainable and long-term improvements in the agricultural sector, ensuring prosperity for farmers, they added.
Since CM Yogi’s first term, he has prioritised the welfare of cows by establishing shelters for destitute cattle and allocating funds for their upkeep, officials said.
Recently, a provision of Rs 1,001 crore was included in the supplementary budget for this purpose.
The chief minister aims to make these cow shelters self-reliant by utilising cow dung and urine for economic purposes. To this end, the government conducts skill development programmes and offers subsidies for constructing cattle sheds under MGNREGA.
Additionally, the Mini Nandini Yojana has been introduced to ensure the protection and promotion of cows, providing multiple grants to cattle farmers. These measures aim to integrate cow protection with natural farming, creating a sustainable model that benefits farmers and the environment.
Through these comprehensive initiatives, the Yogi government is transforming agriculture in Uttar Pradesh, fostering a healthier ecosystem, enhancing farmers’ livelihoods, and positioning the state as a hub for natural farming, officials said.
