Gujarat Govt Plans to Push for Organic Farming through School Text-Books

In a bid to make organic and natural farming popular among the masses, the Gujarat government has taken a different route to develop sensitivity towards chemical-free farming practices among students, parents and larger society.

The State education department has stated that it will introduce a special chapter on organic farming in the syllabus of class 9 to 12. The education department has roped-in experts on natural farming practices to prepare the content of the chapter. The aim, according to the State education department, is to make students and parents aware of natural farming and its benefits.

In order to popularise organic and natural farming among the general public, the Gujarat government has taken a novel approach to raise awareness of chemical-free farming practices among students, parents, and the general public.

The state education department has stated that a special chapter on organic farming will be added to the curriculum for grades 9 through 12. The education department has enlisted the help of natural farming experts to prepare the chapter's content. According to the State Education Department, the goal is to educate students and parents about natural farming and its benefits.

State Education Minister Jitu Vaghani stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined a plan to rid Indian agriculture of dangerous chemical fertilizers while also protecting citizens' health.

"The Gujarat government is emphasizing zero-budget farming, under which the government wants to encourage and promote natural farming," said Vaghani, adding that incorporating a topic on organic farming into formal education will sensitize students at a young age and guide them toward chemical-free farming.

"The goal is to educate students and their parents about the dangers of using chemical fertilizers and insecticides. This will benefit the state by providing higher-quality agricultural products and improving citizens' overall health" Vaghani stated.

Notably, the organic mission has received strong backing from the government and industry leaders. Last month, Governor Acharya Devvrat stated that Gujarat will take the lead in organic farming in the country because it is the need of the hour for agricultural enrichment and farmer welfare.

On May 28, at a cooperative sector seminar in Gandhinagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged farmers to practice organic farming. Amul, India's largest food brand, has already released packaged organic wheat atta in consumer packs, and it plans to release organic pulses and grains, including rice.