Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a key strategist and prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), offered a rare glimpse into his vision for life beyond public office. At 60, Shah—known for his intense political schedule and unwavering commitment to governance—spoke candidly about retirement plans that reflect a shift from policy to philosophy.

Speaking at the Sahkar Samvaad event in Ahmedabad, where he addressed women and activists from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, Shah said, “Once I retire from politics, I plan to devote myself to studying the Vedas and Upanishads and focus on natural farming.”

The minister, who also oversees the Ministry of Cooperation, shared his passion for sustainable agriculture, expressing concern over the health impacts of conventional farming methods.

“Wheat grown with chemical inputs is linked to cancer, thyroid, diabetes, and blood pressure. We didn’t understand this earlier, but food cultivated without chemical fertilisers reduces the need for medicines,” he explained.

Drawing from personal experience, Shah said he had adopted natural farming practices on his own land and observed significant benefits.

“My own farm now yields 1.5 times more produce with organic methods,” he noted, highlighting how such practices enhance soil health and water retention. “When there’s heavy rain, chemically treated farms lose water through runoff. But in natural farming, water seeps into the ground—thanks to the preservation of catchways that fertiliser use has long destroyed.”

He lamented the ecological damage caused by synthetic fertilisers, especially their effect on soil biodiversity.

“Earthworms are nature’s fertiliser factories—producing urea, DAP, and MPK naturally. Excessive chemical use has eliminated them,” Shah said.

Reflecting on his portfolio, Shah said the Ministry of Cooperation holds unique value for him.

“When I became Home Minister, people said it was a powerful role. But when I took charge of Cooperation, I felt it was even more meaningful—because it directly serves farmers, villages, the poor, and livestock.”

The event also featured stories from women involved in cooperative movements, underlining the ministry’s grassroots impact.