The Gujarat government on Saturday, 3 October inaugurated more than 100 new natural farming sales centres across the state, taking the total network of such outlets to 1,200, as 93 progressive farmers were recognised with the Best ATMA Farmers Awards at a ceremony in Gandhinagar. The event marked a significant step in the state's push to mainstream naturally farmed produce and connect farmers directly with consumers.

Key Developments at the Gandhinagar Ceremony

Governor Acharya Devvrat chaired the award function, held in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani. The Governor called for wider adoption of natural farming, urging every farmer already practising the method to bring at least one more into the fold.

Devvrat cited Denmark as a reference point, noting that the country does not subsidise urea or DAP, and instead relies on cow dung and urine for biogas and organic fertilisers — a model that reportedly helps maintain soil organic carbon at 2 per cent. He stressed that reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides was essential to protect soil, water, the environment, and human health.

On the new sales centres, the Governor said they must become 'centres of consumer trust' rather than mere retail points, and called for rigorous quality and purity standards alongside public awareness campaigns.

What the Chief Minister Said

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel framed the event within Gujarat's broader development agenda, saying the state had undertaken initiatives centred on good governance, technology, and public welfare to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of public service. He quoted Modi's call for 'Jai Anusandhan' alongside the traditional 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan', arguing the formulation links national security, food security, scientific progress, and research.

Patel said Gujarat is working to integrate natural farming with technology and environmental conservation, adding that agricultural research could simultaneously raise productivity, increase farmers' incomes, and ensure efficient resource use. He also underscored water conservation, calling for greater rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.

Agriculture Minister's Remarks and UCC Reference

Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani described natural farming as a major campaign in Gujarat, noting a growing interest among educated young people in the practice. He said the government is actively providing marketing and certification support to natural farmers, whom he called the government's 'Brand Ambassadors', and urged each to connect at least five more farmers to the movement.

Vaghani also noted that Gujarat had become the second state after Uttarakhand to receive the President's assent to its Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, adding that the law would introduce uniform provisions while preserving the traditional systems and culture of tribal communities.

MoU, Appointments, and Publications

A significant institutional development at the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Directorate of Agriculture and SAC-ISRO to promote the use of satellite and geospatial technology in agriculture. Appointment letters were also handed over to 14 newly appointed Assistant Directors of Agriculture (Class-II) to strengthen agricultural extension services across the state.

Officials released three key documents: the Agriculture Department's Annual Action Plan 2026-27, Assistance-Oriented Schemes of the Agriculture Department, and Assistance-Oriented Schemes of the Horticulture Department. Around 50,000 farmers from across Gujarat participated virtually, alongside ministers, members of Parliament, MLAs, and representatives of local self-government bodies.

Why This Matters

This comes amid a national push for natural farming, with the Centre encouraging states to reduce chemical input dependency and improve soil health. Gujarat's 1,200-centre sales network is among the largest state-level distribution infrastructure for naturally farmed produce in India. The SAC-ISRO partnership signals an intent to use precision agriculture tools — remote sensing and geospatial mapping — to monitor crop health and resource use at scale, a step that could set a replicable template for other states. The momentum now shifts to implementation: whether the expanded retail network can generate consistent demand and whether quality certification frameworks keep pace with the growing number of participating farmers.