Organic farming is a special chapter in school textbooks for grades 9 through 12.
In order to popularise organic and natural farming among the general public, the Gujarat government has taken a novel approach to raising awareness of chemical-free farming practices among students, parents, and the community at large.
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 importance and benefits.
Also Read | PM Modi gained backing from key farmer leaders to adopt natural/organic farming.
Beginning with the academic year 2022-23, a chapter titled ‘History of Indian farming and introduction to natural farming’ will be included in the State education board’s Class-9 textbook. In the following years, advanced chapters will be introduced in classes 10, 11, and 12.
The chapter will discuss the history of Early Indian farming practices, self-reliance agriculture, and the rise of the green revolution and its benefits, as well as what natural farming means and why and how it can be a good alternative to farming. It will also raise their awareness of the benefits of organic/natural farming, which produces higher and higher-quality yields at lower costs.
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 government of Gujarat is focusing on 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 the formal education system will inform and educate students at an early 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 agrochemicals. This will benefit the state by providing higher-quality agricultural products and improving citizens’ overall health’ Vaghani stated.
Also Read | Class 10 dropout is now Organic farming adviser to Agri universities & ICAR’s curriculum committee.
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. Later, 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.
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