Maharashtra to bring 25 lakh hectares under natural farming: Fadnavis

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that Maharashtra is poised to emerge as the country’s next hub for natural farming - a move aimed at rejuvenating the state’s soil health, cutting down input costs, and transforming the future of its agriculture.

Speaking at a conference on Natural Farming at Raj Bhavan, held in the presence of Governor Acharya Devvrat, Fadnavis said the time has come to shift away from chemical-intensive practices that have drained soil fertility and burdened farmers with rising costs.

“Excessive use of fertilisers and hybrid seeds has made farming unsustainable. Natural farming provides a sustainable alternative - one that strengthens the soil, lowers expenses, and enhances productivity by harnessing the power of nature itself,” he said.

The Chief Minister highlighted that Maharashtra has already made major strides in this direction. Since the launch of its natural farming mission in 2014, the state has brought 14 lakh hectares of farmland under natural cultivation. Building on this success, the government now plans to expand the area to 25 lakh hectares.

“Addressing the challenges of climate change requires a complete transition to natural farming,” Fadnavis stressed, calling the conference a milestone in reshaping the state’s agricultural future through eco-friendly and resilient practices.

Drawing on the wisdom of India’s founding thinkers, Fadnavis noted that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, in the Directive Principles of the Constitution, emphasised Gosamvardhan (cow preservation) as vital to agriculture. “Gaumata holds a sacred and practical role in farming. Protecting our Godhan (cow wealth) is essential to preserving the life force of agriculture itself,” he said.

He credited Governor Devvrat for inspiring Maharashtra’s large-scale natural farming initiative through his visionary leadership. “Under his guidance, we are on the path to making Maharashtra the natural farming capital of India,” Fadnavis remarked.

Governor Devvrat, in his address, urged members of the state cabinet and legislature to adopt natural farming in a mission mode. He explained how natural farming differs from organic methods, noting that the former restores ecological balance and delivers lasting benefits to both farmers and consumers.

Earlier this week, CM Fadnavis also spoke about Maharashtra’s broader vision for development, linking the natural farming mission to the state’s long-term growth plans. At the Viksit Maharashtra 2047 Advisory Committee meeting, he said that Maharashtra will play a leading role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of a fully developed India by the centenary of Independence in 2047.

“The draft Vision Document for ‘Viksit Maharashtra 2047’ lays out a clear roadmap in three phases — by 2029, 2035, and 2047 — for achieving holistic growth,” Fadnavis said. The document, recently approved by the advisory committee, will soon be placed before the Cabinet for final approval.

Calling it a “historic blueprint,” Fadnavis said the document should serve as a guiding framework for all future policies and plans. “This roadmap will enable Maharashtra not just to compete with other states, but with the world. We must present it in a way every citizen can easily understand — even through a short, informative video,” he suggested.