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Mumbai, Oct 24 (IANS) Maharashtra is set to become the next hub of natural farming, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said, adding that excessive use of chemical fertilizers and hybrid seeds has reduced soil fertility and increased input costs. He said natural farming provides a sustainable alternative that reduces input costs, restores soil health and increases productivity using natural resources.
The Chief Minister was speaking at a conference organized on natural farming at Raj Bhavan in the presence of Governor Acharya Devvrat.
CM Fadnavis said the conference took an important step in transforming the agricultural landscape of Maharashtra through natural and eco-friendly practices.
“Maharashtra’s Mission for Natural Farming launched in 2014 has brought 14 lakh hectares under natural farming. Following the guidance of the Honorable Governor, the state decided to expand this area to 25 lakh hectares in 2023. A complete transition towards natural farming is needed to address the impact of climate change on agriculture,” he said.
He further said that Dr. BR Ambedkar had emphasized the importance of Gosamvardhan (cow conservation) in the Directive Principles of the Constitution. “Mother cow holds an important place in agriculture, and conservation of Godhan (cow wealth) is essential to sustain the life of farming. Governor Acharya Devvrat’s vision and innovative approach in agriculture has led Maharashtra to implement the Natural Farming Mission on a large scale, paving the way for the state to become the next hub of natural farming,” Fadnavis said.
Governor Devvrat in his address appealed to the members of the State Cabinet and Maharashtra State Legislature to promote natural farming in mission mode. He also explained the difference between organic and natural farming and emphasized on its long-term benefits.
Earlier, Fadnavis on Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dreamed of a fully developed India in the centenary of independence in 2047. He said, “Maharashtra will not lag anywhere behind in fulfilling this dream and Maharashtra’s ‘Vision Document’ will definitely be helpful in this.”
CM Fadnavis was speaking in the meeting of the Developed Maharashtra 2047 Advisory Committee. In this meeting the Advisory Committee approved the draft of Developing Maharashtra 2047 document.
The draft, which will soon be placed before the Cabinet for approval, provides a ‘roadmap’ to achieve the goal of a developed Maharashtra in three phases by 2029, 2035 and 2047.
CM Fadnavis said, the draft document of Developed Maharashtra is a historical document and should be used while making any plan and policy in future.
He said, “This ‘document’ will enable Maharashtra to compete not with states but with the world. This entire draft should be converted into a video, so that citizens can understand it in an easy manner.”
–IANS
SJ/PGH