Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat made a significant visit to the home of celebrated farmer Samrat Raut in Khoripada village, Dindori taluka, Nashik district. The governor's core message was a powerful appeal to the farming community: embrace natural farming to transform from market buyers into self-reliant sellers.
A Champion Farmer's Journey
The governor chose to visit Samrat Raut, a farmer whose exemplary work has earned him numerous state and national awards. Raut's accolades include the prestigious Vasantrao Naik award from the Maharashtra government. His journey of recognition began over a decade ago with the ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency) scheme award in 2009–10. A key part of his success story is his successful transition to natural farming practices, which has made him a model for sustainable agriculture in the region.
The Governor's Direct Appeal to Farmers
Addressing local farmers during his visit, Governor Devvrat delivered a compelling critique of conventional farming economics. "I come here to appeal to you to be a seller in the market and not the buyer," he stated. He pointed out the current, costly cycle where farmers purchase expensive pesticides and fertilizers, only to face complications that can ruin crops and lead to distress.
"Farmers sell their goods in the market and then buy things from the market for the next crop. It is the farmers' money that is going into the business and traders living in the city," the governor explained, highlighting the financial drain from villages. He positioned natural farming as the solution, with the power to reverse this trend. "Natural farming has the power to reverse this trend, as pest management and fertilisers can be produced by the farmers themselves. Let the money come into the village and not go out," he urged.
The Promise and Process of Natural Farming
Sharing from personal experience and observation, Governor Devvrat acknowledged that the shift to natural methods can be challenging initially but is ultimately rewarding. He cited Raut's success as a living testament. The governor elaborated on the environmental benefits, noting that natural farming helps rejuvenate even arid soil by encouraging the activity of earthworms and beneficial bacteria, creating a healthier ecosystem for cultivation.
This visit was part of the governor's two-day tour of Nashik district. Earlier on the same day, he visited the government Ashramshala at Pimparkhed, where he participated in a yoga session and shared breakfast with the students, emphasizing holistic community engagement.
