Himachal Pradesh Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Sunday said that the farmers of the hill state could represent the country in natural farming system.

Arlekar, presiding over the workshop on Natural Farming Youth Entrepreneur under Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana organized by implementation agency of natural farming at Kangra, said that natural farming was growing rapidly in the country and awareness was increasing among the people.

“It is a matter of happiness that Himachal is the leading state in the country practising this farming and is inspiring others as well,” he said, adding that about 1.68 lakh farmers were practising natural farming and there was a need to increase this number.

Calling them as “karma yogis”, the Governor said that today, he got the knowledge from young farm entrepreneurs about natural farming system. “Natural farming is being adopted on nearly 45,000 acres of land in the State. Young farm entrepreneurs could play an important role in this direction and it is necessary for everyone to adopt this farming method for the safety of future generation. Natural farming would go ahead only with the experience of the people,” he added.

Welcoming the Governor, Prakritik Kheti Khushal Kisan Yojana’s executive director Dr Rajeshwar Chandel said that 12,000 hectares of land would be brought under natural farming in the State by March this year. A target has been set to bring nearly 20,000 hectare area under this practice, he said adding that 3,590 panchayats have been brought under this farming system and work was being done to directly connect the youth with it.