Maharashtra Governor Warns Against Chemical Farming, Advocates Natural Agriculture
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat emphasized the health and environmental risks of chemical farming and promoted natural farming as a sustainable alternative. He highlighted soil degradation, the loss of beneficial soil microbes, and increased cancer risks from chemical use. The governor stressed the benefits of natural farming practices such as seed selection, mulching, crop diversification, and the role of earthworms in enriching soil fertility.
At a Natural Farming Conference in Pune, Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat warned against the serious health impacts and environmental consequences of chemical-based farming. Citing a United Nations report, he explained that chemical farming destroys soil microorganisms crucial for nutrient transfer, alters soil texture, and reduces food nutrient quality. He further noted that nitrogen from urea fertilizer produces nitrous oxide, contributing to rising cancer cases. The governor advocated natural farming as a sustainable solution involving the use of appropriate seeds, soil mulching, and crop diversification. He pointed out how earthworms in natural farming can drill soil up to 10 feet deep, improving rainwater percolation and enriching the soil with essential nutrients. Devvrat also highlighted the decline in Indian soil organic carbon from 1.5% to less than 0.5% due to chemical farming, increasing the risk of soil becoming barren. Additionally, he underscored that chemical farming is costly and can lead to farmers' indebtedness. Emphasizing the importance of reviving traditional seed varieties to reduce foreign dependency and market manipulation, he urged agricultural universities to enhance research for climate and disease-resistant crops. The governor concluded by supporting natural farming as a means to increase yields and produce more nutritious food, ensuring long-term agricultural and public health sustainability.
