Gujarat has launched a month-long statewide 'Save Farm Campaign' from 1 June to 30 June, aimed at reducing chemical inputs in agriculture and accelerating the adoption of natural farming practices. The campaign was flagged off from Shertha village in Gandhinagar district by Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, who described it as a long-term effort to protect soil health, food safety, and farmer livelihoods — not a routine government programme.

What the Campaign Involves

Under the initiative, teams comprising agricultural scientists, departmental officers, and field staff will tour villages across Gujarat throughout June to educate farmers on sustainable practices, balanced fertiliser use, and chemical-free cultivation alternatives. Officials have been directed to establish dedicated sale centres for natural farming produce — including fruits, vegetables, and grains — at government offices such as collectorates, district panchayat offices, mamlatdar offices, and milk cooperative institutions on designated days each week.

The state government has also introduced certification systems and online sales facilities to help farmers market naturally grown produce. During the launch event, assistance under the 'Mukhyamantri Pak Sanghra Structure Yojana' was distributed to selected progressive farmers, who were also felicitated with shawls and certificates of appreciation.

The Case Against Chemical Overuse

Vaghani expressed concern over what he termed the 'indiscriminate use' of chemical fertilisers such as urea and DAP, as well as pesticides, stating that prolonged overuse had gradually eroded soil fertility. 'Chemical residues were entering the food chain through crops and animal products, including milk, and this could contribute to serious health issues,' he said.

He pointed to a rise in non-communicable diseases — including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disorders — contrasting current health trends with earlier generations who, he said, faced fewer such conditions. Agriculture Department Principal Secretary R.C. Meena reinforced the concern, comparing fertiliser overuse to a medical overdose, and urged farmers to shift to modern alternatives such as nano urea and nano DAP.

Scale of Natural Farming in Gujarat

According to Vaghani, around 8 lakh farmers in Gujarat have already adopted natural farming, with a target of onboarding another 5 lakh farmers this year. Approximately 20 lakh farmers have so far been trained in natural farming techniques by the Agriculture Department. The minister cited the initiative as aligned with the broader vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Governor Acharya Devvrat, both of whom have consistently advocated natural farming, and said it was being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

Vaghani urged farmers to begin transitioning in a phased manner, suggesting that adopting natural farming on even 25 per cent of landholding initially would be a practical starting point, with expansion based on observed results.

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Link

On the occasion of World Milk Day, Vaghani noted that India accounts for approximately 25 per cent of global milk production, with Gujarat playing a leading role. He said the government's broader policy encourages farmers to combine agriculture with animal husbandry to raise income, improve milk quality, and promote public health. Fertilisers continue to be provided at subsidised rates, officials confirmed, but excessive use is being flagged as a long-term risk to soil productivity.

The campaign is expected to serve as a foundation for Gujarat's wider natural farming targets in the coming years, with departmental teams continuing village visits beyond June to provide guidance on seed quality and balanced input use.