New Delhi, May 30 Agriculture Ministers from 22 states have not only endorsed natural farming at the policy level but have also adopted and experimented with it on their own farms, the Centre said on Saturday, signalling a broader push to build farmer confidence in sustainable agricultural practices.
The ministers converged on a single platform during the two-day National Kharif Conference held at the PUSA campus in New Delhi, with the shared objective of strengthening the agricultural sector through coordinated action and effective implementation.
Natural Farming Takes Centre Stage
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasised that protecting farms goes beyond safeguarding agricultural land – it encompasses preserving the environment, the nation, and the future of generations to come.
He strongly urged state governments to simplify administrative procedures and eliminate unnecessary complexities so that farmers can more effectively access and benefit from government schemes and initiatives.
Balanced Fertiliser Use — Not a Ban
On the contentious issue of chemical fertilisers, Chouhan clarified that the government’s objective is not to prohibit their use entirely, but to promote their scientific, balanced, and judicious application. He called for a nationwide awareness movement and an institutional campaign to drive this message to the grassroots level.
The minister also stressed the need to establish coordinated implementation mechanisms, dedicated monitoring systems, and control rooms to ensure that the campaign delivers measurable outcomes on the ground rather than remaining a policy appeal.
Common Roadmap Charted
The conference emerged as a national platform for commitment, coordination, and ground-level execution. Ministers collectively charted a common roadmap covering:
- Kharif preparedness for the upcoming season
- Self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds
- Balanced fertiliser use across states
- Natural farming promotion and adoption
- Khet Bachao Abhiyan — a proposed campaign to protect agricultural land
The conference reaffirmed that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government views agriculture not merely as a question of production but as a broader national responsibility — encompassing soil health, environmental sustainability, nutrition security, farmer prosperity, and the well-being of future generations.
Agriculture as National Responsibility
Kharif planning, the conference underscored, will no longer be confined to seasonal preparedness alone. It will instead be linked to a larger agenda of self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds, soil health management, prudent input cost control, and sustained enhancement of agricultural productivity.
H2: Key Takeaways from National Kharif Conference 2026
- Khet Bachao Abhiyan launches June 1–30 across all villages
- 192 lakh quintals of seeds available — 11% more than required
- 8 lakh farmers already registered for natural farming
- State-wise agricultural roadmaps being prepared with ICAR
- Fake pesticides flagged as major concern — stricter action planned
Also Read : Govt plans to introduce natural farming in agri education curriculum
