Gujarat to Have Four Centres of Excellence to Accelerate Natural Farming

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Government has taken the first step towards expanding natural farming by approving Centres of Excellence in four districts.

In the first phase, Centres of Excellence will be established at Nani Bhamti village in Vansda taluka of Navsari district, Halvad in Morbi district, Valavad village in Sihor taluka of Bhavnagar district, and Chudel village in Jetpur Pavi taluka of Chhota Udepur district. The responsibility for implementing the scheme has been entrusted to the Gujarat Prakrutik Krishi Vikas Board. The state government has allocated Rs 20 crore in 2026-27 to establish these centres.

Modern facilities will be set up at these centres to train 100 farmers at a time. Additionally, farmers already practising natural farming and those who want to adopt it will receive training, guidance and other farming-related facilities.

Facilities Available from Jeevamrut to Seeds and Saplings

These centres will not be limited to training alone but will be developed as model campuses for natural farming. Along with solutions to agriculture-related problems, farmers will be trained in preparing bio-inputs such as Jeevamrut, Ghan Jeevamrut, Beejamrut and Neemastra. Arrangements will also be made to produce these bio-inputs and make them available to farmers at nominal prices.

In addition, various types of mulching materials, crop seeds, horticultural crop saplings, cuttings and grafts, along with other planting material, will be produced and sold at these centres.

Soil and Quality of Produce Can Also Be Tested

At the Centres of Excellence, farmers will receive guidance on soil testing and quality testing of agricultural products. Farmers will also be provided assistance regarding new technology, primary agricultural materials, value addition and post-harvest processing.

Training Will Also Be Provided at Farms

Along with various natural farming methods, practical demonstrations of the five-layer natural farming model, mixed cropping and intercropping methods will be conducted. Demonstrations and guidance will also be provided through visits to farmers’ fields.

Methods of preparing Beejamrut, Jeevamrut and various pesticides, as well as their proper use, will also be taught. Training will be provided on standard natural farming practices for various crops.

Costs to Decrease, Income to Increase

With this decision, farmers adopting natural farming will have access to training, technology, guidance and necessary agricultural materials at a single location. The proper use of bio-inputs and adoption of natural farming methods will help reduce cultivation costs, the press release said.

Additionally, training in value addition, processing, storage and packaging will help farmers get better returns from their agricultural produce. The four Centres of Excellence will become key centres for natural farming training and experimentation, giving a new direction to its expansion across the state, the state government added. DeshGujarat