PrintFriendly
The soul of India resides in its villages, and the soul of the villages resides in the farmer. Beyond being the provider of food, the farmer serves as the most vital link between nature and human life. Over the past few decades, the country’s agricultural system has relied extensively on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to boost production. While this resulted in an immediate increase in output, it gradually began to manifest severe adverse effects on soil fertility, water quality, and human health. The indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is leading to a decline in land productivity, a rise in cultivation costs, and a failure of farmers’ incomes to grow as expected.
In such times, the call given by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi—to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, promote natural farming, and “save the health of Mother Earth”—represents a national resolve to safeguard the future of coming generations. For a vast agrarian state like Rajasthan, this message holds even greater significance.
Rajasthan is defined not only by its desert landscape but also by its hardworking farmers, who sustain agriculture and animal husbandry even amidst challenging conditions. The region already grapples with inherent challenges such as water scarcity, low rainfall, rising temperatures, and soil alkalinity. If the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers continues in such a state, the vitality of the soil could deteriorate even further in the coming years. The need of the hour is for farmers to move towards a model characterized by “low costs, high returns, and healthy farming.”
During the era of the Green Revolution, fertilizers such as Urea, DAP, and other chemical inputs were considered the bedrock of agriculture. While this approach boosted production in the initial years, their excessive and prolonged use eventually disrupted the natural nutrient balance of the soil.
Today, farmers are compelled to apply increasingly larger quantities of fertilizers every year, yet production levels remain stagnant. The escalating prices of chemical fertilizers have further driven up the overall cost of cultivation. Natural and organic alternatives not only improve soil health but are also proving instrumental in reducing farming costs over the long term.
In regions of Rajasthan—such as Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Kota, Bundi, and Jhalawar—growing concerns have emerged regarding the adverse impact of excessive chemical usage on both land and water quality. Conversely, in areas like Nagaur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Barmer, and Jaisalmer, the imperative for sustainable agriculture is being keenly felt due to the limited availability of water resources.
On numerous occasions, Prime Minister Shri Modi has spoken about the initiatives “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (A Tree in Mother’s Name) and “saving Mother Earth from toxins.” The Central Government is actively promoting technologies such as natural farming, cow-based agriculture, Nano Urea, organic fertilizers, and drone-based precision spraying. Nano Urea, in particular, has kindled a new sense of hope among farmers. It is proving to be highly effective even when used in smaller quantities; this not only reduces cultivation costs but also minimizes environmental damage.
A positive climate regarding natural and organic farming is now emerging in Rajasthan as well. Many farmers are reverting to the use of cow-dung manure, vermicompost, and indigenous seeds. In several villages, farmers are forming collectives to market their organic produce, thereby securing better prices for their yields.
Farming is not merely about cultivating crops; it is a way of life that entails
The call given by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi—to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, promote natural farming, and “save the health of Mother Earth”—represents a national resolve to safeguard the future of coming generations. For a vast agrarian state like Rajasthan, this message holds even greater significance
maintaining a harmonious balance between soil, water, livestock, and the environment. Today, the world is once again gravitating back toward this approach.
The demand for organic products is witnessing rapid growth in numerous countries, including those in Europe and the Americas. By recognizing and seizing this opportunity, farmers in Rajasthan can carve out a strong identity for themselves in the global market. Rajasthan’s coarse grains, millet (Bajra), green gram (Moong), fenugreek (Methi), cumin (Jeera), and organic vegetables hold immense potential on the international stage.
Rajasthan boasts a rich and enduring tradition of livestock rearing. The rural way of life in the region has historically been deeply intertwined with animals such as cows, buffaloes, camels, and sheep. If livestock rearing and natural farming are integrated effectively, farmers can achieve true self-reliance. Fertilizers derived from cow dung and cow urine—along with organic liquid formulations—can not only enhance soil fertility but also significantly reduce dependence on chemical inputs.
It is also essential for farmers to understand that the objective of natural farming is to make agriculture sustainable, profitable, and health-promoting. While some challenges may arise initially, as the quality of the soil gradually improves, agricultural yields begin to stabilize and enhance. Most importantly, the cost of cultivation decreases, and the farmer becomes less dependent on expensive chemical products available in the market.
For centuries, our ancestors served and protected the Earth, regarding it not merely as a means of production but as a mother figure. While engaging in agriculture, they preserved the land’s fertility, ecological balance, and natural wealth, passing them down to subsequent generations. Today, it is our shared responsibility to refrain from the indiscriminate use of chemicals and to safeguard the soil’s vitality, its inherent strength, and the balance of nature, ensuring that future generations, too, inherit a prosperous and fertile Earth. We are the custodians of a culture that views the land not merely as a resource, but as a sacred entity worthy of reverence. Thus, for us, protecting the Earth is not merely a duty, but an act of sacred worship.
If the soil remains healthy, the farmer will prosper, the villages will flourish, and the nation will remain happy. Prime Minister Shri Modi’s call to action is, in essence, the mantra of “Healthy Earth, Healthy Farmer, and Healthy India.” Fellow farmers, let us step forward in this direction and resolve to work towards securing fertile land, clean water, and a safe environment for the generations to come. This will constitute true service to the nation and will pave the way for the enduring prosperity of Indian agriculture.