During the last couple of decades, the agriculture sector in India has witnessed a crisis in terms of decline in growth rate, rising numbers of farmer suicides, and a widening gap between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.
Various studies done by research scientists reveal that it is the overall development of our villages that can accelerate the progress of our nation. Now, in order to develop rural areas, it is essential to make each and every farmer self-reliant. The green revolution has, undoubtedly, resulted in increased agricultural production. However, the rapid increase in population compels us to reconsider the methods of crop protection and improve our agricultural production. According to pedologists (soil conservationists), extreme usage of inorganic chemicals in agriculture has resulted in the degradation of soil quality. In addition, increasing pollution and abnormal application of toxic chemicals in cereals, vegetables and fruits have led to innumerable food-borne diseases causing damage to our health. In our attempts to get more agricultural output, we have forgotten the basic fact that undue exploitation of nature and the five elements brings about an imbalance in nature.
Studies done in the recent past by renowned agricultural scientists reveal that the concept of ‘Yogic Agriculture’, which simply aims at bringing about a major "sattvic" transformation in the field of agriculture through the application of spiritual knowledge and experiments with meditation on nature and the elements, can be a game changer for the agricultural sector. A few groups of farmers, who have been using these methods, have experienced a considerable increase in the quantity and quality of their agricultural produce compared to those harvested through conventional methods using inorganic inputs. Scientific research done on these produces has shown that their nutritional value is more due to the enhanced microbiological activity in the soil. Just imagine! If every farmer adopts these methods of farming, it will give a new direction to the nation and mould our farmers, or 'annadata', into becoming an embodiment of divine virtues and benefactors of a golden new era.
(nikunjji@gmail.com --- www.brahmakumaris.com)
(Writer is a spiritual educator&popular columnist for publications across India,Nepal & UK. Till Date 8500+ Published Columns have been written by Him)
