Gujarat’s governor has raised a clarion call against the perils of chemical farming, spotlighting its devastating impact on soil health, climate change, and food quality. Addressing the media in Ahmedabad, the governor revealed that over 9.8 lakh farmers in Gujarat have adopted natural farming methods, transforming more than 8 lakh acres of land. Highlighting the urgent need to abandon chemical fertilisers, he noted that urea-based solutions containing 46% salt are decimating earthworms and other agri-friendly organisms while slashing soil organic carbon levels to a critical low of 0.2%-0.4%. This marks a stark decline from the 1960s when soil organic carbon was a healthier 2.5%.
Delving into climate concerns, the governor explained how nitrogen-rich urea and DAP fertilisers emit nitric oxide, a greenhouse gas 312 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. Contrasting this, he extolled the virtues of cow dung-based natural farming, which produces less impactful methane emissions. Emphasising its benefits, he said indigenous Indian cow dung contains over 300 billion beneficial bacteria per gram, with one tonne yielding 2kg of nitrogen essential for crop health. The governor also advocated for a simple, sustainable soil solution made from cow dung, jaggery, and gram flour to boost microorganism and earthworm activity.
From a sustainability perspective, the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aims to mainstream eco-friendly agricultural practices. Approved as a standalone scheme by the union cabinet, the NMNF is expected to drive significant progress. The governor highlighted how degraded soils and excessive chemical use have reduced nutrients in crops like rice and wheat by 45%. This alarming trend has also impacted global food quality benchmarks, leading European and American markets to reject Indian rice over contamination concerns.
With India at a crossroads, the governor’s insights underscore the critical need to reorient agricultural practices toward sustainability. By restoring soil health and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, natural farming holds the key to food security, environmental preservation, and long-term rural prosperity.
