National Conference on Next-Generation Agriculture

28th-30th January 2024, Jabalpur

A 3-day National conference on Next Generation Agriculture - Organic and Natural Farming Pathways: Extension Strategies and Approaches was jointly organized by the International Society of Extension Education, Nagpur, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Jabalpur and Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur from January 28th-30th, 2024.

The Chief Guest, Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (NRM), emphasised the importance of organic and natural farming in enriching the soil.

During the valedictory session, Dr. U. S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agril Extension), said that organic and natural farming is based on traditional knowledge and culture. Its farming methods evolve to match local environments responding to unique biophysical and socio-economic constraints. He accentuated the important role of extension scientists in researchable issues related to technology delivery mechanisms.

Prof. K. Narayana Gowda, President, of the International Society of Extension Education Nagpur, Maharashtra, briefed the participants about the conference's theme and the society's initiatives.

Dr. C.K. Timbadia, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Natural Farming Science University, Gujarat, briefed about the status of natural farming in India and the initiatives the university took to implement undergraduate courses in Natural Farming.

Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, MANAGE, Hyderabad, spoke about the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the initiative of MANAGE “National Mission on Natural Farming Management and Knowledge Portal” in capacity building and awareness programme in Natural Farming.

Prof. P.K. Mishra, Vice Chancellor, JNKVV, Jabalpur, said that organic and natural farming is the need of the hour.

Dr. S. R. K. Singh, Director, ATARI, Jabalpur, stated that the conference themes include theme Organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture, Comprehensive Extension Strategies for the Promotion of Natural Farming, Policy and Institutional Approaches for Upscaling Organic Farming, Government Initiatives and Policy.

Dr. A. K Singh, Vice Chancellor, Rani Laxmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Dr J.P. Sharma, Former Vice-Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu, Dr.  Anupam  Mishra, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Dr. Daniel Gustafson, Deputy Director General, FAO were felicitated lifetime achievement award for their enormous contribution of over 30 years in field of Agricultural Extension and changing the lives of farming community through innovative technology transfer.

More than 300 participants across India participated in the programme.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Jabalpur)