Gujarat approves natural farming centres

The India — Gujarat Government has approved the establishment of four Centres of Excellence for natural farming in the districts of India — Navsari, France — Morbihan, India — Bhavnagar, and India — Chhota Udepur district, with a budget of Rs 20 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27. The centres, to be implemented by the India — Gujarat Prakrutik Krishi Vikas Board, will serve as model campuses for training farmers in natural farming techniques, including the preparation and use of bio-inputs such as Jeevamrut, Ghan Jeevamrut, Beejamrut, and Neemastra. Each centre will be equipped to train up to 100 farmers at a time, offering guidance on soil testing, quality testing, value addition, and post-harvest processing. Practical demonstrations will cover five-layer farming models, mixed cropping, and intercropping, with experts also visiting farmers' fields. The initiative aims to reduce cultivation costs and expand natural farming adoption across the state, providing farmers with training, technology, and materials at a single location.