1st meeting of the National Committee on Natural Farming organized

13th September 2023, New Delhi

Indian Council of Agricultural Research constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (NRM) to overview, accelerate, and monitor the research and area expansion under natural farming. The committee will also guide and streamline the standard protocols for the promotion of natural farming. The first meeting of the committee was held here today.

Dr. Chaudhari, in his opening remarks, highlighted that science is open to everyone and there is a need to review and reshape the research experiments in different agroecology in addition to strengthening education and extension programs on Natural Farming.

Dr. U.S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agri. Ext.) and Member of the committee highlighted the training and demonstrations taken up by 425 KVKs and stressed the state-level monitoring committee besides preparing the action plan for KVKs with the time line.

Dr. Neelam Patel, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog and Member emphasised the need to address the issues of food security and sustainability together and India can play the lead role in promoting agroecological practices across the globe.

Dr. C.K. Timbdia, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Natural Farming and Organic Agricultural University, Gujarat, and Member mentioned that the university is undertaking education and research programs on natural farming based on successful practices documented by lead farmers.

Shri Franklin Khobung, Joint Secretary (NRM/RFS) and Member informed that high potential for natural farming is there in India but it is yet to be tapped for which research and extension backup is essential.

Dr. Baljeet Saharan, Professor (Microbiology) and Member opined that natural farming practices need to be optimized and stressed for a separate budget for natural farming research.

Dr. D.V. Raidu, Senior Advisor, RySS, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and Member of the committee shared the experiences of Andhra Pradesh community-managed natural farming.

Dr. Rajbir Singh, Assistant Director General (AAFCC) and Member Secretary of the Committee briefed the critical role of the committee in streamlining the natural farming research, education, and extension activities in India.

The committee reviewed the research, education, and extension activities based on the presentation made by Dr N. Ravisankar, Project Coordinator and National PI, AINP on Organic Farming, ICAR-IIFSR, Dr S.K. Sharma, Assistant Director General (HRM) and Dr R.R. Burman, Assistant Director General (Agricultural Extension).

Based on the review of work done, the committee suggested further strengthening the research, education, and extension efforts through collaborations and sharing of knowledge and information.

The meeting was also attended by Principal Scientists in NRM division, ICAR, and representatives of the Joint Secretary (INM), Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Dr Sunil Kumar, Director, ICAR-IIFSR and co-opted member proposed the vote of thanks.

(Source: NRM Division of ICAR, New Delhi)