Solan
With natural farming gaining momentum at the national level, the scientists of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni have been at the forefront of providing training to Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) scientists from across the country on this environmentally friendly methodology.
The university scientists engaged in natural farming are acting as resource persons in various ICAR training for KVK scientists from across the country. Recently, nodal officers of 38 KVKs including 19 from Rajasthan, 18 from Haryana, and one from Delhi took part in the two-day workshop ‘Out Scaling of Natural Farming through KVK’ held at Jodhpur. The workshop was inaugurated by Professor Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, UHF Vice-Chancellor who shared his experience and expertise in natural farming and said that natural farming was the most pertinent way to sustain quality production and a healthy populace along with conserving the ecology. Addressing the participants virtually Prof Chandel said that natural farming has opened new vistas in the field of agricultural research and development. He also enlightened the participants and delegates about various aspects and technologies as well as possibilities/prospects of natural farming in the country.
Three scientists from UHF, who have been engaged in natural farming for the past several years were the expert trainers during this training. Dr, NK Bharat, Professor and Head, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr. Kuldeep Thakur, Principal Scientist, Department of Vegetable Science and Dr. Pramod Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist, Department of Fruit Science attended the training as resource persons and shared their knowledge on natural farming with the KVK scientists.
Earlier, the university had hosted a similar training for ATARI Zone I, Ludhiana where KVK professionals from Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh participated. The scientists were trained in the natural farming methodology. The experts from the university are also guiding the training and natural farming activities of other universities like Gujarat University along with providing virtual training to KVKs from other parts of the country. Doctoral scholars from Gujarat University working on natural farming had also visited the university to learn about natural farming practices.
