The National Conference on Soil Health Management for Sustainable Farming was inaugurated by Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. On this occasion, Shri. Tomar stated that soil fertility is eroding as a result of chemical farming and other factors, and that climate change will be a major worry for both the nation and the rest of the world. He claimed that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is concerned about climate change and periodically draughts and is working on measures in this regard. He asserted that the Sustainable Development Goals will be attained by Prime Minister Shri Modi (SDGs).
Organic Carbon in the Soil is a Serious Concern
Chief Guest Shri Tomar stated on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and World Soil Day, organized by NITI Aayog in collaboration with GIZ affiliated with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Germany, that the lack of organic carbon in the soil is a serious concern for us. To meet this serious challenge and improve soil health, we must promote environmentally friendly natural farming. He stated that the Government of India, led by Prime Minister Shri Modi, is collaborating with the states to promote natural farming.
The Indian Natural Farming System is once again being used by the government in agriculture. He continued, “The Natural Agricultural System is an old farming method employed by farmers and at that time people also knew how to live in harmony with the ecosystem.” Numerous improvements have been created to support natural farming in states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, etc. 4.78 lakh extra hectares of land have been converted to natural farming over the past year in 17 States.
Rs. 1,584 crores to Promote Natural Farming
According to Shri Tomar, the Central Government has approved the National Mission on Natural Farming as a separate scheme with a budget of Rs. 1,584 crores to promote natural farming. The Namami Gange programme is implementing a natural farming project along the Ganges’ banks, while the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and all Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Central and State Agricultural Universities and Colleges are collaborating to promote natural farming.
More Than 22 crore Soil Health Cards Distributed
According to Shri Tomar, the Government of India is also working through the Soil Health Card. More than 22 crore Soil Health Cards have been distributed to farmers across the country in two phases. The government is also developing infrastructure through the Soil Health Management Scheme, which includes a provision for the establishment of various types of Soil Testing Laboratories. There are currently 499 permanent soil testing laboratories, 113 mobile soil testing laboratories, 8,811 mini soil testing laboratories, and 2,395 village-level soil testing laboratories.
He stated that there was a time when policies were production-oriented, and that chemical farming increased agricultural yield, but that the situation has changed, and that with climate change, maintaining soil health is a major challenge. He stated that if an attempt is made to exploit the earth contrary to natural laws, the consequences can be disastrous. Today, chemical farming is eroding soil fertility; the country and the world should avoid this and fulfil our environmental responsibilities.
Shri Suman Berry, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Member Prof. Ramesh Chand, CEO Shri Parameswaran Iyer, Senior Advisor Ms. Neelam Patel, Dr. A.K. Singh and Mr. Drik Steffis, as well as several scientists, policymakers, and other stakeholders, attended the conference.
