Gujarat Governor Urges Shift to Natural Farming to Combat Soil Infertility

Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat emphasized the need to transition from chemical fertilizer-based farming to natural and organic methods. He warned that excessive use of chemicals is not only making land infertile but also causing serious health issues like cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Addressing a seminar, the Governor highlighted that earth's organic carbon levels have dropped and earthworms, essential for soil health, are being killed by chemical fertilizers. Without change, future generations may face dire consequences.

Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat on Saturday stressed the urgent need to transition from chemical fertilizer-based farming to natural farming, warning that the excessive use of chemicals is rendering lands infertile.

Speaking at a natural farming consultancy seminar at Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Devvrat noted that countries like Europe and America are rejecting paddy from India due to failing quality tests, while purchasing from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Devvrat highlighted that chemical fertilizers are not only detrimental to the land but also contribute to rising disease rates, including cancer in children and other ailments such as diabetes and blood pressure. He warned that the earth's organic carbon has plummeted to 0.6%, and essential organisms like earthworms are being killed, which further degrades soil health. According to a UN report, he added, the world may face barren lands and no food production in 40 to 50 years if the current practices persist.

(With inputs from agencies.)