Karnal, June 6 -- The indiscriminate usage of chemical fertilisers is turning the fertile agricultural land of Haryana and Punjab into a barren wasteland, and it is high time that farmers adopt natural farming," said Union minister of state (MoS) for agriculture and farmers' welfare Ram Nath Thakur on Friday.

"Haryana and Punjab have contributed to the nation by producing wheat and rice, which is excellent. However, the excessive use of fertilisers has contaminated the soil. Soon, the land in Haryana and Punjab will become barren. If nothing is done, future generations will be ruined," Thakur said.

Thakur, a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar and son of Bharat Ratna awardee and former Bihar CM Karpoori Thakur, made these remarks while addressing...