'Earthworm same as urea': Amit Shah bats for natural farming

NEW DELHI: Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah has pitched for expanding the footprints of natural farming in the country, saying it is not only good for human health but also for the health of 'Mother Earth'.

"Eating food produced without use of fertilisers and chemicals will keep you away from doctors and medicines. Apart from this, production increases with natural farming," Shah said during an interaction with women associated with cooperative sectors of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The programme was held in Ahmedabad on July 5 to mark the International Cooperatives Day and was telecast Wednesday.

Citing his own example, Shah said he adopted natural farming in his fields and has seen an increase of one and a half times in production.

"If natural farming is adopted, then earthworm does the same work as done by urea and other fertilisers such as DAP and NPK. Earthworms eat soil and make manure in the process. The land is not harmed in the process. Besides, water is also saved and people also remain healthy," said the minister.

He said his ministry has already formed a national-level cooperative institution for the purchase of grains produced through natural farming. "Apart from this, a cooperative society has also been formed for the export of farmers' crops and arrangements have been made to send the profit from export directly to the farmer's bank account," added Shah.