Padma Shri Awardee Bharat Bhushan Tyagi Urges Shift from Market-Driven to Nature-Aligned Agriculture

Padma Shri awardee Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, a renowned progressive farmer known for his pioneering work in organic farming, visited the Krishi Jagran office in New Delhi today. Tyagi's journey into organic farming began in 1976 and is characterized by innovative practices that have transformed the agricultural landscape. His dedication and experimentation have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri award. During his visit, Tyagi highlighted critical issues currently facing the agriculture sector.

During his address, Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, Padma Shri awardee and renowned organic farming advocate, emphasized the urgent need for ‘Innovative Thinking’ in agriculture. Addressing a diverse audience of agricultural scientists, researchers, policymakers, farmers, and journalists, Tyagi highlighted a significant initiative by Krishi Jagran to foster this new approach, congratulating them on their efforts.

Tyagi pointed out that agriculture has traditionally been driven by market demands, focusing on profitability rather than sustainability. He expressed concern over the negative impacts of this mindset, including global warming, societal imbalance, economic disparity, and health and environmental issues. He stressed the necessity of aligning agricultural practices with the natural order, moving beyond the market-driven approach adopted during the Green Revolution, which often neglected ecological considerations.

Through the Krishi Jagran platform, Tyagi urged stakeholders to seriously reflect on these issues. He warned that humanity lacks the resilience to withstand nature's repercussions if we fail to live in harmony with the earth. He called for new dimensions in farming that can transform farmers from mere producers to entrepreneurs.

Tyagi also advocated for the engagement of educated youth in entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector. He expressed hope that policymakers, scientists, and researchers will begin to understand and respect the natural order, thereby addressing global economic imbalances.

He identified market-driven practices as a key factor in economic disparity and emphasized the need to shift towards a circular economy. Tyagi highlighted the crucial role of farmer producer organizations (FPOs) in this transformation. He praised government initiatives aimed at boosting farmers' incomes through FPOs, cooperatives, and village prosperity programs, noting Krishi Jagran's important role in raising agricultural awareness.

Concluding his speech, he said, "During the Covid pandemic, the entire world was forced to realize that if humanity moves away from nature, survival becomes impossible. In such a situation, we must take these matters very seriously."

The event turned out to be an enlightening session. It ended with a Vote of Thanks and a group photograph.