Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat addressed a special programme ‘Ek Chaupal-Prakratik Kheti Ke Naam’ as the keynote speaker at Manas Bhavan auditorium on Wednesday. A huge gathering of farmers, public representatives and citizens participated in the mega event, organised on the initiative of State PWD Minister Rakesh Singh. Addressing the gathering, Governor Devvrat emphasised the urgent need to shift towards natural farming to protect soil, water, livestock, environment and public health. He said if we are to secure the future of coming generations, we must move towards poison-free farming. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav attended the event as the chief guest, with Minister for Farmers’ Welfare and Agriculture Development Eddal Singh Kansana as the special guest. All senior public representatives of the city were also present. The auditorium was jampacked, even several farmers sat on the floor and many watched the programme via live screens installed outside.

 

In his address, Governor Devvrat shared a life-changing incident from his time at Gurukul Kurukshetra, where he served as principal for 35 years. He recalled how a labourer fainted while spraying pesticides on a nearby farm, raising concerns about the food being served to students. He said that day, he realised the poison is not just harming the environment, but endangering children’s future. It made him renounce chemical farming altogether. Governor Devvrat stressed that modern farming practices dominated by chemical fertilizers, urea and pesticides are deeply affecting human health. Diseases like heart attacks, diabetes, kidney failure and joint replacements were unheard of 60 years ago. But now, even children not exposed to any addictions are suffering from these life-threatening conditions. The Gujarat Governor clarified that while organic farming has been promoted for decades, it remains costly and less productive in the initial years. Moreover, it still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions like methane. Organic and chemical farming both aggravate global warming.

 

Natural farming, however, is simple, cost-effective and environment-friendly, he added. He further said that natural farming enhances soil fertility, reduces water consumption by up to 50 percent and improves underground water tables. The resulting crops are healthier and fetch better prices, all while saving the government billions in subsidies on chemical fertilizers. Calling indigenous cows a foundation stone of sustainable agriculture, Governor Devvrat said, “Their milk is nectar for us and their dung and urine are a boon for the soil.” He specifically highlighted the Sahiwal breed, stating that a single gram of dung contains over 300 to 500 crore beneficial microbes. Diseases like nematode, which have no cure in modern science, can be treated using cow urine, he added. The Governor appealed to farmers to adopt natural farming at least for their own families.

 

He said “As a teacher, I seek your ‘guru dakshina’, commit to starting natural farming on your land”. Farmers responded with raised hands, expressing unanimous support. The programme began with traditional Vedic chants and conch blowing. Dignitaries lit ceremonial lamps before the idols of Bharat Mata and Lord Balarama. Those participated in the programme were Rajya Sabha MP Sumitra Valmiki, MP Ashish Dubey, Mahendra Singh, Mayor Jagat Bahadur Singh, MLA Ajay Vishnoi, Ashok Rohani, Dr. Abhilash Pandey, Santosh Barkade, Neeraj Singh, District Panchayat President Asha Gotiya, BJP City President Ratnesh Sonkar, Vice Chancellors Dr. P K Mishra (Agriculture University) and Dr. Rajesh Verma (Rani Durgavati University), farmer leader Bharat Patel and others.