Training on natural farming pushes for sustainable agriculture

A comprehensive four-day training programme on natural farming targeting scientists from the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), representatives from Local Natural Farming Institutions (LNFI) and Farmer Master Trainers (FMTs), focusing on enhancing skills in sustainable agricultural practices was held recently at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan.

This training was organised under the National Mission on Natural Farming, with the university recognised as one of the seven centres of natural farming by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

A total of 21 participants, including 13 FMTs, representatives from local natural farming institutions and eight scientists from the Krishi Vigyan Kendras attended the programme.

The event was inaugurated by Dr Sanjeev Chauhan, Director of Research at the university, who emphasised the importance of practical training to enhance skills in environmentally sustainable natural farming. Over the course of the training, 13 expert sessions were conducted, covering a variety of topics under the National Mission on Natural Farming. These included an overview of natural farming and its components, soil health management, pest control, diversified multilayer cropping, dairy management, seed systems, bio-input preparation and the roles and responsibilities of krishi sakhis.