The Current Crossroads

The Green Revolution in the 1960s helped India overcome a time when food was scarce. It increased crop production and made the country more self-reliant. However, over the years, the use of chemical-based farming has started to create serious problems. Soil quality has gone down, water levels are falling, and many useful plants and insects have disappeared. There is also rising concern about the health effects of chemical traces left in food. Many small farmers now rely on expensive fertilizers and pesticides, which often puts them in debt.

Farming has also become harder because of climate change. Unpredictable rains, extreme weather, and rising temperatures are making it more difficult to grow crops. India now produces more food than before, yet many people still don’t get enough nutrition. At the same time, the way this food is being grown is putting pressure on the environment. Natural farming offers a clear and practical solution to many of these issues.

What is Natural Farming?

Natural farming represents a philosophy rooted in ecological harmony. It is not merely a chemical-free version of agriculture; it is a holistic method that encourages farmers to work with nature, rather than try to control or override it. It promotes the use of farm-based and bio-derived inputs such as fermented plant extracts, composted organic matter, and microbial-rich solutions that nourish the soil without depleting its life. The emphasis is on regenerating soil health, increasing biodiversity, and reducing reliance on market-bought synthetic inputs.

This approach relies on the natural rhythms and cycles of the ecosystem. It avoids aggressive tilling, monocropping, and synthetic pesticides, instead encouraging crop diversity, minimal soil disturbance, and the reuse of organic waste. Natural farming is, at its core, a closed-loop system, where what comes from the earth goes back to it, forming a self-sustaining cycle.

The Link Between Natural Farming and Food Security

Food security today means more than just having enough to eat. It also depends on how nutritious the food is, whether farmers can afford to grow it, and whether the farming methods are safe for the environment. Natural farming supports all of these needs.

Crops grown naturally often have more nutrients because the soil they grow in is healthier. These crops also have fewer chemicals, which makes them safer to eat and matches what many people are now looking for—cleaner, healthier food. For farmers, natural farming reduces the need to buy expensive fertilizers and pesticides. This can help them save money and earn a better income, especially for those with small plots of land.

Natural farming also helps in dealing with climate change. It improves the soil’s ability to store carbon and hold water, making farms more resistant to droughts and extreme weather. In today’s changing climate, this kind of resilience is very important. Natural farming also uses waste from farms, animals, and even cities in a useful way. Instead of throwing this waste away, it becomes part of the farming process. This not only reduces pollution but also makes farming more efficient and sustainable.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its many benefits, natural farming cannot scale overnight. Transitioning from chemical-intensive farming requires not just training, but a mindset shift. Farmers need support during the initial phases when yields may fluctuate, and they need access to credible information, community-based infrastructure, and market recognition for the produce they grow naturally.

Government programs and grassroots movements in various parts of the country have demonstrated that this transformation is not only possible but practical. With the right institutional support, from public policy to farmer cooperatives, natural farming can become a viable mainstream model. It also opens up possibilities for rural entrepreneurship, especially in the development and distribution of bio-inputs, composting systems, and waste-to-resource technologies.

At its most effective, this model thrives when local knowledge is combined with scientific rigor, and when communities are empowered to take ownership of their soil, water, and food systems. As consumers become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, the market for naturally grown food is also steadily expanding, further reinforcing the viability of this approach.

The Way Forward

India’s farming story has always combined new ideas with traditional methods. Natural farming can be the next step forward. It uses age-old techniques along with today’s knowledge about healthy soil and the environment. This approach doesn’t mean giving up on technology or big farms. It means using them in ways that protect nature instead of damaging it. If we want to make sure everyone has enough good food in the future, just growing more is not enough. We need to grow food in a way that is safer, healthier, and better for the planet. Natural farming helps us do that. It keeps the soil healthy, supports farmers, and gives people cleaner food. Choosing this way of farming is not about going back in time. It’s about moving forward more smartly and responsibly, one that stays connected to the land that feeds us.

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मध्य प्रदेश पाइप प्रणाली के माध्यम से अधिकतम क्षेत्र में सिंचाई करने वाला देश का पहला राज्य बन गया है. सिंचाई सुविधाओं का विकास करने के लिए मध्य प्रदेश को कई अवार्ड भी मिल रहे हैं. ये अवार्ड सिंचाई, पेयजल और उद्योगों के लिए जल संसाधनों के अधिकतम उपयोग और विकास के लिए मिल रहे हैं. लेकिन प्रदेश अब भी 65 लाख हेक्टेयर के लक्ष्य से काफी पीछे है तो उसका कारण यह है कि प्रशासनिक बाधाओं ने परियोजनाओं की गति धीमी कर दी. अगर भूमि अधिग्रहण और वन पर्यावरण की रुकावटें न होतीं तो यह लक्ष्य तीन साल में ही हासिल कर लिया गया होता. अभी प्रदेश 45 लाख हेक्टेयर तक पहुंच पाया है.

पाइप प्रणाली का बड़ा योगदानःसीएम शिवराज सिंह चौहान भी मानते हैं कि प्रदेश ने तीन वर्षों में पाइप प्रणाली के जरिए सिंचाई करके काफी पानी बचाया है. नहर के जरिए पानी ले जाने में काफी नुकसान होता है, इसलिए मध्य प्रदेश ने तय किया कि पाइप के जरिए पानी ले जाएंगे और किसानों के खेतों तक आउटलेट दे देंगे. प्रदेश में सिंचाई की क्षमता भी 7 लाख हेक्टेयर से बढ़कर 45 लाख हेक्टेयर तक पहुंच गई है. सरकार ने इसे 65 लाख हेक्टेयर तक ले जाने का लक्ष्य रखा है.

मुख्यमंत्री के इस बयान के बावजूद यह ध्यान रखना चाहिए कि प्रदेश में कई सिंचाई परियोजनाएं राजस्व, वन और पर्यावरण विभाग के फैसलों में देरी के कारण अब भी बीच में लटके हुए हैं.

प्रदेश में चल रहीं प्रमुख सिंचाई परियोजनाएं इतनी बड़ी मात्रा में जल उपलब्ध करा सकती हैं कि शुद्ध पेयजल  के संकट और सूखे से मुक्ति मिल सकती है. एक तरफ जहां भूजल स्तर बढ़ जाएगा, वहीं बेहतर सिंचाई के कारण कृषि उत्पादन कई गुना हो जाएगा. लेकिन प्रदेश में पाइप प्रणाली और नहर पर आधारित परियोजनाएं अब भी लटकी हुई हैं. भूमि अधिग्रहण के कई विवाद अब भी उलझे हैं और वन पर्यावरण की मंजूरियां नहीं मिलने से भी देरी हो रही हैं.

पेश हैं कुछ परियोजनाओं का ब्योरा –

नर्मदा-गंभीर लिंक परियोजना

प्रेशराइज्ड पाइप के जरिए नर्मदा का जल गंभीर नदी में पहुंचाया गया. इससे 50 हजार हेक्टेयर खेतों की सिंचाई का लक्ष्य. बिजली का उपयोग किए बिना किसान सीधे स्प्रिंकलर सिस्टम लगा सकते हैं. इसमें 68 किमी लंबी ग्रेविटी प्रेशराइज्ड पाइपलाइन और 147 किमी लंबी वितरण की मेनलाइन है और 700  किमी लंबी एचडीपीई पाइपलाइन के जरिए जल प्रदाय हो रहा है.
कंस्ट्रक्शनः नवयुगा कंस्ट्रक्शन

पंचम नगर सिंचाई परियोजना

देश की पहली सिंचाई परियोजना है, जो बगैर बिजली खर्च के संचालित होगी.
सिंचित भूमि 25 हजार हेक्टेयर
पेयजल 300 गांव
तकनीक उच्च दबाव वाले पाइप्स (जीआर पाइप्स) और गुरुत्वाकर्षण के जरिए पानी ऊंचाई से निचले इलाकों तक ले जाया जाएगा.
कंस्ट्रक्शनः मंतेना इंफ्रा
कमांड क्षेत्र तक पानी बिना बिजली के पहुंचाने से परियोजना में 20 करोड़ रुपए की बचत
जिला        तहसील           गांव           सिंचाई एरिया
सागर       बंडा                 29             6420 हे.
दमोह       पथरिया            35             10300 हे.
दमोह       बटियागढ़          57             15,280 हे.

रीवा-सतना बाहुती

पूरी नहर की लंबाई 17.85 किमी
टनल की लंबाई 3.7980 किमी
कहां से कहां    बाणसागर के गुलवार गुजारा से छुहिया घाटी तक
सिंचाई एरिया 65481 हेक्टेयर
कंस्ट्रक्शन मंतेना इंफ्रा

छिंदवाड़ा इरीगेशन कॉम्प्लेक्स

परियोजना कन्हान नदी व पलासपानी पर बांध/बैराज और टनल निर्माण
विशेषताः प्रेशराइज्ड पाइप के जरिए कमांड एरिया तक पानी
सिंचित कमांड एरिया 190500 हेक्टेयर
कंस्ट्रक्शन एचईएस और मैक्स इंफ्रा

बदनावर नर्मदा माइक्रो इरीगेशन  (धार जिला)

नर्मदा नदी से बरसात के मौसम में पंपों के जरिए जल उठाया (लिफ्ट) जाएगा. यह जल 60 किमी दूर 500 मीटर की ऊंचाई पर बने एक जलाशय में संचय किया जाएगा. जलाशय में एकत्र किया गया यह पानी उन आठ महीनों के दौरान काम आएगा, जब बारिश नहीं होती और कृषि को पानी की सबसे ज्यादा जरूरत होती है. यह पानी गुरुत्वाकर्षण के जरिए बिना बिजली के ही खेतों तक पहुंचाया जाएगा.
पहले चरण में 101 गांवों की 50 हजार हेक्टेयर जमीन की सिंचाई होगी
दूसरे चरण में बदनावर के गांवों को सिंचाई परियोजना से जोड़ा जाएगा
कंस्ट्रक्शनः एचईएस और रिवर बोल्ट

मां रतनगढ़ बहु-उद्देशीय परियोजना

प्रदेश के 3 जिले ग्वालियर, भिंड एवं दतिया में वर्षों पुरानी सिंचाई की समस्या का समाधान होगा. यह परियोजना दतिया जिले की सेवढ़ा तहसील में सिंध नदी पर बनाई जा रही है.
लागतः 2244.97 करोड़ का बजट
लाभः  59 हजार किसान लाभांवित होंगे और 09 मेगावॉट विद्युत का भी उत्पादन
वन प्रकरण स्वीकृति के अभाव में बांध निर्माण का कार्य रूका हुआ था. अब वन विभाग ने स्वीकृति प्रदान कर दी है.
सेंवढ़ा में 6500 हेक्टेयर कृषि भूमि सिंचित होगी
भिंड जिले को में 49,200 हेक्टेयर
ग्वालियर जिले की 22,784 हेक्टेयर सिंचित
मंतेना और वशिष्ठा

हनोता सिंचाई परियोजना

परियोजनाः बीना नदी पर 40 हज़ार  हेक्टेयर भूमि सिंचित होगी
29 ग्राम सागर जिले के एवं 30 ग्राम विदिशा जिले के प्रभावित होंगे.
सागर जिले में 18 ग्राम मऊ में निजी भूमि एवं 11 ग्रामों में शासकीय भूमि चिन्हित की गई है.
कंस्ट्रक्शनः टाटा प्रोजेक्ट्स और फलौदी

कुंडलिया सिंचाई परियोजना

परियोजनाः कालीसिंध नदी पर कुंडलिया जलाशय से राजगढ जिले में 64,000 हेक्टेयर खेतों की सिंचाई राजगढ़ जिले के सारंगपुर, खिलचीपुर एवं जीरापुर तथा आगर-मालवा जिले के नलखेड़ा एवं सुसनेर विकास खण्ड में कुल 1,30,639 हेक्टेयर रबी क्षेत्र में नवीन तकनीकी यथा ड्रिप, स्प्रिंकलर आदि से 419 ग्रामों में सिंचाई
निर्माताः लार्सन एंड टुब्रो

The post मध्य प्रदेश पाइप प्रणाली से अधिकतम सिंचाई करने वाला देश का पहला राज्य रुकावटें न होतीं तो तीन साल में ही मिल जाता 65 लाख हेक्टेयर सिंचाई का लक्ष्य सिंचाई क्षमता 7 से बढ़कर 45 लाख हेक्टेयर पर पहुंची, कृषि उत्पादन में उछाल appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

By celebrating World No Tobacco Day today, we can work together to promote a tobacco-free world, protect public health and support people on their journey to quit tobacco. So, can we “Be the change, stand up against tobacco!”

Today, tobacco cultivation and production exacerbate food insecurity. The campaign for 2023 places emphasis on the need to increase awareness about alternative crop production among farmers and encourage them to grow sustainable, nutritious crops. Are the governments globally really serious about their attempts to substitute tobacco farming with sustainable crops, thereby contributing to the global food crisis? Or it is that increasing revenues from the tobacco industry with increased consumption and marketing support governments.

Tobacco Kills printed on tobacco products packaging is right. It kills due to the increasing uncertainty of nutritional crops as tobacco growing and production exacerbate food insecurity.

Globally, conflicts and wars, climatic shocks, and the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have further worsened the food crisis, and tobacco growing further adds to the woes of food scarcity.
Some facts: As per the WHO, about 3.5 million hectares of land are converted every year for tobacco cultivation. Secondly, tobacco growing affects the soil, leading to deforestation of 200 000 hectares a year. Worsening this further is the extensive usage of pesticides and fertilisers to grow tobacco, leading to soil degradation and desertification. And, with soil fertility almost depleted with the cultivation of tobacco, the land is of no use for other crops, doubling up the food insecurity.

The profits made from tobacco and its marketing are immense, but at the expense of the damage done to sustainable food production. Developing countries, high population density countries and low and middle income countries are the ones who suffer and must act quickly before it is too late. Countries where tobacco is grown often face negative economic consequences due to the negative health, environmental and social impacts of tobacco cultivation. So WHO together with governments should take immediate action to reduce global tobacco use and reclaim land for food crops.

With UNSDG Goal 2 ‘Zero Hunger”, this goal can truly be achieved, as the cultivating nations worldwide are the underdeveloped or developing countries, which are low-income regions. This year’s WNTD campaign “We need food, not tobacco” highlights the urgent need to strengthen legislation, develop appropriate policies and strategies, and create market conditions for tobacco farmers to switch to growing food crops that would provide them and their families with an alternative means of cultivation for a better life.

The UN has already highlighted the urgent need to pay immediate attention to the deteriorating food situation in vulnerable regions and to take action to alleviate the impact of acute food insecurity and prevent a humanitarian disaster. A record 349 million people in 79 countries are affected by acute food insecurity, many of them in low- and middle-income countries.

Suresh Rathod

The post “Be the change, stand tall against tobacco!” appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Today, only 30 days after Cabinet formally approved the scheme, the first sanction of over Rs. 1000 Crore was made to over 2,280 farmer societies. The event was conducted through video conference and was attended by lakhs of farmers, FPOs, cooperatives, PACS, and citizens joining from across the country.

At the same event, the Prime Minister also released the 6th installment under the PM-KISAN scheme of Rs. 17,000 Crore to nearly 8.5 Crore farmers. The cash benefit was transferred directly to their Aadhaar verified bank accounts with the press of a button. With this transfer, the scheme has provided over 90,000 Crore in the hands of more than 10 Crore farmers since its launch on 01 December 2018.
Interaction with Primary Agriculture Credit Societies

Prime Minister interacted virtually with 3 Primary Agriculture Credit Societies from Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh who are among the initial beneficiaries of the scheme. Prime Minister had an engaging discussion with the representatives of these societies to understand their current operations and how they plan to utilise the loan. The societies informed the Prime Minister about their plans to build godowns, setup grading and sorting units which will help member farmers secure a higher price for their produce.
Address to the nation

Following his interaction with the Primary Agriculture Credit Societies, in his address to the nation, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in how farmers and the agriculture sector will benefit from the scheme. He said the scheme shall provide a financial boost to the farmers and agriculture sector and increase India’s ability to compete on the global stage.

Prime Minister reiterated that India has a huge opportunity to invest in post-harvest management solutions like warehousing, cold chain, and food processing, and build a global presence in areas such as organic and fortified foods. He also mentioned that this scheme provides a good opportunity for start-ups in agriculture to avail the benefits and scale their operations, thereby creating an ecosystem that reaches farmers in every corner of the country.

Prime Minister expressed his satisfaction with the pace of implementation of the PM-KISAN scheme. He also noted that the scale of the program is so large that the funds released today have reached more people than the entire population of several countries taken together. He also congratulated states for playing an important role in the implementation and assisting farmers through the entire process from registration all the way to disbursals.

The post Agriculture is the foundation of the Indian economy appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.