Palampur 14 September. A national training on the present status and future prospects of natural farming was inaugurated at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today. As Chief Guest, Dr Tej Partap, former Vice Chancellor said that trainees should be clear about the importance and use of natural farming. He asked trainees to learn the nuances of natural farming diligently. He said that terms like natural farming, organic farming and zero budget natural farming has been confusing in the initial stages. Now, situation is different as people are concerned about consuming and growing safe food. He said that natural farming need deep research and advanced technology and asked trainees to adopt four principles of natural farming. It is good for human and animal health and environment.
In his presidential remarks, Dr.D.K.Vatsa, Vice Chancellor said that natural farming has become very important issue of present times. He discussed the status of deteriorating soil health due to excessive use of fertilizers. He said that use of farm yard manure has decreased and such issues need the attention of scientists for sustainable agriculture with good package of practices in natural farming. The Vice Chancellor also discussed disease and insect pest management decreasing use of chemicals. It is important for the health of people. He also spoke on the need of modernizing agriculture so that the younger generation is attracted towards it by using artificial intelligence, use of drones, etc.
Dr S.P.Dixit, Director of Research said that pesticide use in crops, especially in vegetables has increased alarmingly. It is high time that all concerned should work together for popularizing natural farming.
Dr Janardan Singh, Course Director and Head of the Department told that 26 scientists from Maharashtra, Punjab, J & K and H.P. are taking part and experts from top institutions of the country will be interacting with trainees during fourteen days training. They will be covering all the aspects of natural farming. Dr Ranbir Singh Rana, Principal Investigator informed that training has been jointly organised by Centre of advanced agricultural science and technology on protected agriculture and natural farming and Department of Organic Agriculture and Natural Farming in the host University. Dr Rakesh Chauhan also expressed his views. University Statutory officers and heads were present during the inaugural ceremony.
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