Everything Grown on Agricultural Land Must Belong to Farmers, Says Sadhguru

Hosur, Tamil Nadu | Spiritual leader and Isha Foundation founder Sadhguru on Saturday called for urgent policy reforms to ensure that everything grown on agricultural land legally belongs to farmers, urging the Union government to amend restrictive laws dating back to the British era.

Addressing more than 10,000 farmers at an agricultural seminar organised by Cauvery Calling in Hosur, Sadhguru stressed the need to liberate farming from excessive government control. He said a clear distinction must be made between produce grown in forests and crops or trees cultivated on private agricultural land.

“Whatever the farmer grows on his land should belong to the farmer,” Sadhguru said, adding that farmers should not require permission to cut or sell trees grown on their own land. He urged the Centre to amend colonial-era laws that claim ownership over resources found below a certain depth of soil, calling them outdated and unjust.

Highlighting the importance of economic freedom, Sadhguru said market-driven systems work best for farmers. He advocated allowing farmers to grow what is most profitable for them and sell their produce freely, including in global markets.

The event, held at Adhiyamaan College of Engineering in Krishnagiri district, saw participation from leaders across political parties, including BJP, Congress, AIADMK and DMK. Emphasising unity beyond political differences, Sadhguru said the purpose of politics should be to serve people, particularly when it comes to safeguarding the sources of life such as agriculture and natural resources.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan also addressed the gathering, praising the Cauvery Calling movement for its role in promoting tree-based agriculture and improving farmers’ incomes. He noted that the initiative has contributed to groundwater recharge and the rejuvenation of the Cauvery river.

The Minister invited the Cauvery Calling team to share its experiences with the Agriculture Ministry to help shape a national policy on agroforestry. Agricultural scientists from multiple national research institutions and progressive farmers from several states also participated in the seminar, sharing high-income farming models and success stories.

Cauvery Calling aims to revitalise the Cauvery River while improving rural livelihoods by promoting large-scale tree plantation on private farmlands. So far, the movement has enabled the plantation of over 12.8 crore trees and supported thousands of farmers in adopting tree-based agriculture.