KANPUR, June 19 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday advocated natural farming, saying it could serve as a foundation for a healthier society and help reduce diseases linked to excessive use of chemicals and pesticides. Addressing the Natural Farming Workshop 2026 in Kanpur, Adityanath said the goal of a developed India by 2047 included ensuring better health and reducing diseases, for which natural farming could play an important role. Adityanath also stressed the importance of cow protection, saying that many people consume cow's milk but later abandon the animals on roads. "When these stray cattle damage crops, the same people blame the government," he said, adding that cow-based natural farming not only strengthens agriculture but also contributes to cattle welfare. Reiterating the government's commitment to cow protection, Adityanath said it was both the state's resolve and part of India's cultural ethos that cows would not be allowed to be slaughtered. "We will not allow anyone to compromise with the security of the nation," he said. The CM said that the state government had identified 27 districts along the Ganga and seven districts in Bundelkhand for promoting natural farming, while 24 districts had already made progress in this direction. Referring to the history of Sikh Gurus, he added that whenever an invader or butcher committed cow slaughter, Sikh warriors would eliminate him on the spot. He noted that this belonged to a period when the country was under foreign rule and people were living under the shadow of foreign invaders, said a statement issued by CM office. "India has today become the world's fourth or fifth largest economy," Adityanath said. He added that due to the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, agricultural produce is often not accepted in international markets because of high chemical content.htc...