Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day in 2019 said, “The way we are using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, it is damaging the health of its soil. As a farmer, as a child of this soil, I have no right to damage its health. I have no right to make my mother India sad nor do have I right to make her sick. We would soon complete 75 years since our Independence. Revered Bapu showed us the way. Should we not cut down the use of chemical fertilizer in our fields by 10% or 20% or 25% and if possible should we not launch a Muktikar Abhiyan (campaign)? This would be a great service to the nation. This would be a great step in saving our Mother Earth.’’.

The Hon’ble Finance Minister in her 2019–20 Budget speech said, “we shall go back to basics on one count: Zero budget Farming. We need to replicate this innovative model through which in a few States farmers are already being trained in this practice. Steps such as this can help in doubling our farmers’ income in time for our 75th year of Independence.’’

Agriculture is at the epicentre of the country’s journey towards Atma Nirbharta with farmers at its core. The efforts of our government have consistently focused upon upliftment, empowerment and stability of farmers in the technical, economic and social realm. It is in this endeavour that we continuously explore various methods to achieve ecologically sustainable and economically viable methods. Natural farming is one such method that holds potential to realise all these goals. It is backed by our rich traditional knowledge, and is a practice of agriculture based on locally available resources, which makes it a sustainable and viable practice.

The Vice Chairman emphasized on the need for a paradigm shift in the agriculture sector, new ways of minimizing costs, streamlining, and simplifying protocols, and optimizing a flow of multiple benefits from farming while improving the well-being of those involved in helping to feed the nation. His views have been shaped by his own experience of how practical, ecologically sustainable, and low-cost practices boosted potato yields in his wife’s farm.