The Agricultural Model of a Developed India: Cow-Based Natural Farming and a Healthy Way of Life
Guest Author: Rajendra Shukla, Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
24 December 2025, Bhopal: Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India today is advancing along a development path where economic progress is harmonized with environmental conservation, public health, and cultural values. Within this holistic national vision, Indian agriculture is also being guided toward a new and sustainable era.
For centuries, agriculture has been the backbone of Indian civilization. However, in the modern age, excessive dependence on chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides has significantly increased the cost of cultivation while severely damaging soil fertility, water-retention capacity, and long-term sustainability. As a result, not only has agricultural resilience weakened, but the quality of food and the health of citizens have also been adversely affected.
Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly emphasized that solutions to India’s challenges lie embedded within its own traditions and indigenous knowledge systems. It is from this conviction that natural farming is receiving national encouragement, as it is intrinsically connected to the original soul of Indian agriculture. Today, agriculture must be viewed not merely from the perspective of production, but within the broader framework of health, sustainability, and self-reliance.
India’s traditional agricultural system has always been founded on coexistence and balance, with the cow occupying a central role. The cow is not merely a religious symbol, but a cornerstone of the rural economy, agricultural productivity, and nutritional security. Our ancestors clearly understood that the protection of cattle is directly linked to the health of the soil.
Cow dung and cow urine nourish the land, activate beneficial microorganisms, and restore vitality to the soil. Grain produced from such healthy soil is more nutritious, safer, and better aligned with the needs of the human body.
Natural Farming: Not Merely an Agricultural Technique, but a Way of Life
In the vision of Prime Minister Modi, natural farming is not simply an agricultural technique; it is an Indian way of life. It is seen as a powerful means to reduce farmers’ input costs, enhance their incomes, and free them from external dependencies. At the same time, it provides the nation with a pathway toward chemical-free and toxin-free food.
For this reason, natural farming has been closely linked with the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and a Viksit Bharat. The methodology is simple, indigenous, and highly effective. It emphasizes the development of gaushalas not merely as centers of cattle protection, but as economic hubs for producing agricultural inputs.
Natural formulations such as Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, and Panchagavya—prepared from cow dung and cow urine—activate soil microorganisms and enhance long-term soil fertility. Practices such as mulching help conserve soil moisture, improve water efficiency, and protect crops from the adverse effects of climate change. Together, these practices significantly reduce cultivation costs, making the goal of zero-budget natural farming realistically achievable.
Prosperity through Cooperation and Institutional Strength
The guidance of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has been instrumental in transforming natural farming into a mass movement. Under the vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation,” farmers practicing natural farming are being organized into cooperative frameworks, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are being strengthened.
This approach ensures that small and marginal farmers gain access to natural seeds and inputs at affordable rates, while also securing market linkages and remunerative prices for their toxin-free produce. The convergence of cow-based natural farming with cooperative institutions represents a new and sustainable pathway to rural prosperity.
The significance of natural farming extends well beyond agricultural fields. It is directly linked to human health and lifestyle. Lifestyle-related diseases are rising at an alarming rate, and a major contributing factor is food contaminated with chemical residues.
Pure and toxin-free grains produced through natural farming strengthen digestion, enhance immunity, and support long-term health. Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to give global recognition to Yoga and AYUSH are part of this integrated health vision. Practices such as yoga, pranayama, and disciplined daily routines can deliver their full benefits only when supported by pure and natural food. Together, natural farming, wholesome nutrition, and yoga help realize the vision of a healthy India.
Prime Minister Modi’s practical mantra of “one acre, one season” serves as a source of inspiration for farmers to adopt natural farming without risk. By starting on a small scale, farmers can observe results and gradually expand adoption.
Under the National Mission on Natural Farming, the central government is providing strong institutional support through training, technical guidance, input availability, and market access. Farmer Producer Organizations play a pivotal role by empowering small and marginal farmers through collective strength. Notably, women farmers are emerging as leaders in this transformative movement.
At the heart of this entire effort lies cow service (gau-seva). The conservation and promotion of cattle is not merely a matter of faith, but one deeply connected to environmental protection, rural employment, and public health. In Prime Minister Modi’s vision, cow-based natural farming is a powerful instrument for strengthening rural India and ensuring sustainable development.
The Government of Madhya Pradesh is fully committed to translating this farsighted vision into action. In the state, natural farming, cattle conservation, and farmer welfare are being advanced in an integrated manner. The objective is not merely to increase production, but to safeguard the health of the soil, the farmer, and the consumer alike.
Cow-Based Natural Farming: The Renaissance of the Indian Worldview
Cow-based natural farming is not merely an agricultural reform; it represents the renaissance of the Indian worldview. By fulfilling our cultural responsibility toward protecting the cow and the soil, India can ensure healthy food, a balanced lifestyle, and a secure future for coming generations. This approach offers one of the most powerful pathways to realizing the vision of a developed, self-reliant, and healthy India.
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