Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat on Thursday, 12 June issued a sharp warning against chemical-intensive agriculture at a natural farming workshop in Jaipur, declaring that unchecked use of chemical fertilisers amounts to a moral failure toward future generations. Addressing the event at Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium, Devvrat said the country's soil health has been gravely damaged and the consequences will be borne by those who come after us.

Key Remarks by the Governor

'If we do not wake up in time, future generations will never forgive us. Today, we are not farming but are committing a sin,' Devvrat said, drawing a direct moral equivalence between chemical farming and long-term harm to society.

Invoking the Green Revolution era, Devvrat pointed out that agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan had originally recommended around 13 kg of nitrogen for 2.5 acres based on the needs of that time. He contrasted that with the present reality: 'Today, farmers in states like Haryana and Punjab are applying 13 bags of urea per acre. If this is not destruction, what is?'

He further alleged that indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers has harmed soil biodiversity and contaminated food chains. 'Millions of tonnes of urea have ruined generations. The poison entering our food ultimately affects human health and leads to serious diseases,' he said.

The Workshop and Its Organisers

The workshop was organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kisan Morcha as part of a broader campaign to promote natural farming across Rajasthan. It brought together progressive farmers, agricultural experts, and BJP workers from across the state.

The event was attended by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, state BJP president Madan Rathore, and several senior BJP leaders.

What the Rajasthan Government Said

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma used the platform to highlight his government's record in the water and power sectors. 'For four decades, Rajasthan depended on others for electricity. Today, even during peak summer demand, we are not only meeting our own requirements but are also selling power to other states,' Sharma said.

BJP Kisan Morcha's Campaign Plans

Former Union Minister and BJP Kisan Morcha state president Kailash Choudhary announced that the organisation would launch an extensive campaign to encourage natural farming in every village of Rajasthan. Workshops are planned for every district and Assembly constituency, with model villages to be developed as showcases for natural farming practices.

'The day is not far when a Collector's son will say he does not want to become a Collector but a farmer,' Choudhary said, expressing confidence in agriculture's future.

State BJP president Madan Rathore praised Choudhary's political journey, noting that previous BJP Kisan Morcha heads — including Bhagirath Choudhary and the late Sanwarlal Jat — had gone on to become Union ministers. 'Signs of future greatness are visible early,' Rathore remarked.

Why This Matters

India's dependence on chemical inputs — particularly urea — has been a subject of sustained policy debate. Soil health surveys have repeatedly flagged declining organic carbon levels in agricultural land across Punjab, Haryana, and other Green Revolution states. The Centre has been pushing natural and zero-budget farming through schemes such as the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, but adoption remains limited. Events like this workshop signal that the BJP is now actively mobilising its farmer-facing unit behind the shift, giving the agenda both political and policy weight.