LUCKNOW: Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, has stated that his state will heavily promote natural farming. The Central government has granted a sum of Rs 82.83 crore for 35 districts in the state under the centrally-funded Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati project. He stated the initiative will cover an area of roughly 38,670 hectares while speaking remotely at a one-day National Workshop organised by the Niti Aayog as part of the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" on the theme of Cow-based Natural Farming and Innovative Agriculture. He stated that the programme will last for three years, beginning in Kharif this year. The Chief Minister noted that the state's Bundelkhand region has long practised natural farming in various forms and that, in order to promote it further, it is proposed to set up clusters of 500 to 1,000 hectares in all 47 development blocks of all seven districts of the Bundelkhand region using state funds. "In the next five years, almost 47,000 hectares will be targeted at a cost of Rs 175.46 crore, benefiting 1.17 lakh farmers," he said. He went on to say: "Kharif and Rabi cover 128.73 lakh hectares and 129.32 lakh hectares, respectively. Uttar Pradesh, with a record production of 619.47 lakh metric tonnes in 2020-21, was the country's greatest food grain producing state." The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of natural farming, saying that in addition to growing production, the aims of raising farmer income, conservation of natural resources, environmental conservation, and providing sufficient nourishment to nurture human health must all be accomplished. Agriculture Ministry to organise nationwide campaign for farmers from Apr 25 to 30 Modi govt increased fund allocations for tribal welfare: Amit Shah Yogi govt's action, UP Police raids for arrest of former SP MLA and brother