Padma awardees urge poison-free farming push

Padma award-winning farmers and agricultural experts on Friday called for setting up “poison-free farming schools”, developing gaushalas into organic manure production hubs, and ensuring village-level compost availability to promote balanced fertiliser use and improve soil health.

The recommendations were made during a high-level brainstorming session convened by the Department of Fertilizers at Shastri Bhawan. The consultation was chaired by Department of Fertilizers Secretary Rajat Kumar Mishra under the leadership of Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers JP Nadda.

According to an official statement, experts cautioned against the prevailing notion that “more fertiliser means more profit,” warning that excessive chemical use is contributing to soil degradation and declining productivity. They emphasised the need for systematic farmer orientation programmes to encourage balanced fertiliser application, crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices.

Participants proposed the establishment of poison-free farming schools to train cultivators in natural and organic farming techniques. They also suggested strengthening gaushalas as centres for producing organic manure and ensuring compost is readily available at the village level to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers.

The consultation is part of the government’s broader effort to promote soil health as a nationwide movement, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to “Save Mother Earth.”

Officials said the ideas discussed at the meeting would help shape policy measures aimed at restoring soil fertility, enhancing long-term farm sustainability, and improving farmers’ incomes through eco-friendly agricultural practices.