My commitment to Zero-budget farming everlasting: HP's outgoing Guv Acharya

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh outgoing Governor Acharya Devvrat, who takes charge as Gujarat Governor on July 22, says his commitment to 'Zero budget" farming — a model he got introduced in the hill state successfully is never-ending.

"Himachal Pradesh has become a pioneering in zero — Budget Natural farming

(ZBNF). It was first state to allocate Rs 25 cr budget in 2018. Five thousand farmers have already been trained. They have started ZBNF, and they also become master trainers. Our plan is to train a total 50,000 farmers by this year end. And, it is an achievable target",

Acharya told Millennium Post in an interview at Raj Bhawan on Tuesday.

Acharya, a former Principal at Gurukul, Kurukshetra was appointed Himachal Pradesh Governor in August 2015. Zero-budget farming that he had himself practised at the Gurukul has become his brain-child in the state, starting from 2018.

Acharya will be replaced by BJP leader and former union minister Kalraj Mishra.

Now, Governor — designate Gujarat, Archarya says "I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving me a great opportunity to serve Gujarat. It is one state, which in itself is best model of development. This is branding the state received under Modi ji's Chief Ministership. I will certainly try to carry on with all those things, I successfully tried here".

Now, that Zero-budget farming has already been included in the budget for 2019-20, the country will see a new focus on achieving the goals of doubling farm income and stopping use of highly harmful chemicals, resulting in adverse effects on the health of people, and diseases like cancer and diabetics.

Last year, Modi had invited Acharya to address members of Parliament on zero-budget farming concept and later had sent teams of experts and Niti Aayog delegation to Kurukshetra to study the zero-budget farming model.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats were also taken to Kurukshetra later.

"I just had a word with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and he was in complete agreement with me that zero budget farming will be taken forward in the state. My departure from Himachal Pradesh does'nt mean end of zero-budget farming. I will also keep coming to Himachal Pradesh to oversee the implementation of the ZBNF project. This will be new revolution for the hill state. Some early results are very encouraging", Acharya said. Governor's four-point agenda in Himachal Pradesh included fight against drug abuse among youths,Water Conservation, Beti Bachao, Beti Padao and zero-budget natural farming .

It was first — time Acharya organised events at Raj Bhawan inviting experts like Rajendra Singh, well-known water conservationist and Magsaysay Awardee, Subhash Palekar, an Indian farmer and Padamshree awardee for his pioneering work in zero budget natural farming, NGOs and Government officials to carry forward his four-point agenda.