Union Home Minister Amit Shah has strongly advocated for natural farming, emphasizing the vital role of earthworms in the ecosystem and their equivalence to urea and other chemical fertilizers. Shah believes that natural farming is a scientific approach with numerous advantages, including higher crop yields and improved health.
Speaking at the 'Sahkar Samvad' event in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Shah shared insights into his post-retirement plans, revealing his intention to dedicate his life to the Vedas, Upanishads, and natural farming. He highlighted the detrimental effects of chemical fertilizers on both the environment and human health, citing concerns about cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid disorders linked to consuming wheat grown with chemical fertilizers. Shah argued that food produced without chemicals and fertilizers can eliminate the need for medications.
Shah pointed out that earthworms naturally produce fertilizers, but synthetic fertilizers have decimated their population. He stated, "These creatures are nature's own factories of urea, DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), and MPK (Monopotassium Phosphate)". He lamented the destruction of natural catchways due to excessive fertilizer use, which prevents water from seeping into the soil during heavy rains.
Shah also shared his personal experience with natural farming, stating that his crop yields have increased by approximately 1.5 times since implementing this technique on his own farm. He emphasized that natural farming enhances agricultural productivity while promoting environmental regeneration and reducing dependence on synthetic inputs.
In line with promoting natural farming, Shah announced that the Ministry of Cooperation has established national and export-oriented cooperatives to procure and market crops grown through natural farming. The profits from these exports will be directly transferred to farmers' accounts, further incentivizing the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.
Shah also touched upon the benefits of using nano urea and nano DAP, stating that these can help farmers transition to natural farming without compromising their output. He urged farmers to shift from granular urea and DAP to liquid forms, as nano urea does not harm earthworms or percolate into the ground.
Furthermore, Shah shared his weight-loss journey and health transformation through positive habits like exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet. He encouraged the youth to dedicate two hours daily to exercise and ensure six hours of sleep for optimal health.
