Workshop-cum-Capacity Building Programme of Natural Farming Organised by ICAR-ATARI Kolkata

15^th – 16^th February 2023, Kolkata

ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata organized a Workshop-cum-Capacity Building Programme of Natural Farming for Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Odisha (17 KVKs), West Bengal (16 KVKs) and A&N Islands (1 KVK) under Zone V during February 15-16, 2023 at West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata. The aim of the workshop was to discuss on progress of the activities, action plan, utilization of funds, etc. of the Project entitled “Outscaling of Natural Farming through KVKs”.

Prof. T. K. Mondal, Vice-Chancellor, WBUAFS, Kolkata urged the field scientists for strategic implementation of natural farming components to build a green and glorious nation. He urged to make innovative models and strategies for agricultural sustainability through natural farming to reduce the cost of cultivation and help in arresting growing needs for fertilizer and reduce the subsidy burden.

Dr. P. Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI addressed the importance of soil health management, gender participation, decreasing cost of production, and increasing production to dovetail 3F of agro-ecosystem i.e; Farm-Farmer-Farming.

Prof. G. N. Chattopadhyay, Emeritus Professor, Seacom Skills University emphasized the need for farm management of resources to meet the food grain demand of the escalating population of our country.

Dr. P. K. Pal, DEE, UBKV highlighted about how natural farming is fused in our Indian civilization since ancient days and time has come for its reincarnation.

Earlier, Dr. F. H. Rahman, Principal Scientist and Nodal officer of the Project, ICAR-ATARI Kolkata appreciated the role of different KVKs in mass awareness campaign and crop demonstration module of this project. He also highlighted the salient achievements and physical-financial progress of KVKs so far.

All the KVKs have presented their progress of activities conducted under this Natural farming project.

Heads of all 34 KVKs along with Nodal SMS of the respective KVK attended the workshop.

(Source ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)