Farmers’ Innovation Centre inaugurated in Chamba

A Farmers' Innovation Centre (FIC) was inaugurated at Chamba as part of the Responsible Tourism & Living Heritage Meet 2025, that began today. The event is being hosted by the NotOnMap, an organisation promoting responsible tourism, in collaboration with the district administration, Pahad Trust, and Better Life Foundation.

The inauguration saw the participation of experts from Nagaland, Kerala and Rajasthan. The initiative was led by the Better Life Foundation of Nagaland, while two Chamba-based organisations — Pahad and Holistic Himalaya — made key presentations highlighting local agricultural and cultural practices. Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal was the chief guest on the occasion, who lauded the initiative for promoting farmer-led innovation and ecological agriculture.

The Innovation Centre aims to exchange and seed sharing between farmers. In a symbolic gesture, Chamba farmers gifted traditional maize, kodra, rajma and pulses to visiting farmers from Nagaland. In return, the Nagaland delegation presented naturally grown black garlic to local farmers. The exchange was aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and cultural linkages.

Speaking at the event, Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission CEO Rupesh Kumar shared insights into Kerala’s agri-tourism and sustainable agriculture models. Sethrichem Sangtam, founder of Better Life Foundation, shared the success story of the Farmers’ Innovation Centre in Nagaland. From Rajasthan, Kahan Singh presented a widely appreciated model of natural living.

MR Hari, an expert in agroforestry and the Miyawaki forest technique, introduced new approaches to regenerative farming. Riyaz Mohammed of Holistic Himalaya shared farmers’ experiences in cultural conservation through integrated farming practices. Dr SC Sharma, advisor to Pahad Trust, presented a short film highlighting the trust’s ongoing initiatives in the Himalayan region.

The event was attended by farmers from across the district, as well as experts from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Chamba.

The Farmers' Innovation Centre is a social platform designed to train farmers, promote innovative ideas, and showcase best agricultural practices. The FIC aims to facilitate knowledge-sharing between farmers across Himachal Pradesh and other regions with similar agro-climatic conditions. The centre has been built through community contributions and crowdfunding, promoting ownership and sustainability from the grassroots level.