It is our duty to do chemical-free farming, organic farming and natural farming: PM Modi

If today’s Independence Day speech is an indicator of the shape of things to come, natural farming and chemical-free farming seem to be something the government may get serious about. However, in his speech from the historic Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi refrained from going into any sort of details.

Modi said, “It is our duty to do chemical-free farming, organic farming and natural farming.” While speaking about agriculture and duty, he also spoke of the citizen’s duty regarding ‘per drop more crop’. He said, “It is the responsibility and efforts of the government to supply water to every field, but a voice should come from each of my fields that we will move forward by saving water by focusing on 'per drop more crop'.”

Remembering Maharishi Aurobindo on his birth anniversary, the Prime Minister drew attention to his mantra of ‘Swadeshi to Swaraj’. In this context, he focused on self-sufficiency in the matter of food. He said, “We all need to think how long we will be dependent on other people of the world.” He added, “AatmaNirbhar Bharat becomes the responsibility of every citizen, every government and every unit of society.”

Modi also made it clear that the country’s requirements came first. “Can we outsource when our country needs foodgrains? When the country decided that we will meet our food requirements, did the country demonstrate it or not? Once we take a resolution, it is possible.”

In another mention of natural farming, Modi said, “Today natural farming is also a way of becoming self-reliant.” He added that “natural farming and chemical-free farming can give a boost to self-reliance.” At the same time, he also said, “Today the factories of Nano Fertilizer have brought a new hope in the country.”

Modi also took pride in ethanol blending. He said, “We are dependent on fuel from the Gulf. We had decided how to move towards bio-oil. The 10 percent ethanol blending seemed like a very big dream. Old experiences showed that it was not possible, but the country has realized this dream of 10 per cent ethanol blending before time.”