Srinagar, Mar 12: Under the aegis of recently sanctioned Centre of Natural Farming (CoNF) at SKUAST-K, Directorate of Extension in collaboration with National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) Hyderabad inaugurated three days training program on Natural Farming for the UT and District level officials of Agriculture and allied sector.
The Chief guest of the occasion was Prof Nazir A. Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K.
At the outset Prof Nazir A. Ganai (Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K) Chief Guest on the occasion, congratulated the team instrumental for getting the Centre of Natural Farming (CoNF) at SKUAST-K and said, that it is an appropriate time to get it, as natural farming/ regenerative agriculture is one of the most potent solution to cope up with the climate change. He further emphasised that the program shall have impact study based on certain quantifiable indicators.
Prof Raihana H Kanth, Director Extension stressed that it the priority flag ship mission of Govt. of India and a headway from transition of conventional to sustainable natural farming approach. She elaborated on the training program that intends to train 40 master trainers from the line departments that will train 306 Krishi Sakhis at the District and block level in 15 identified districts of J&K.
Prof Haroon R Naik, Director Research in his remarks elucidated that since India is signatory to Kyoto protocol and the Paris Agreement, has made a commitment to reduce carbon-di-oxide (CO2) levels in atmosphere from 400 ppm to 300 ppm and the natural farming is one of the important ways to achieve this.
Dr Mandar H Geete, National Expert on Natural Farming from MANAGE Hyderabad, pointed out the benefits of natural farming and further provided valuable insight regarding the successful implementation of the programme.
Sheikh Imran (Nodal officer, National Mission on Natural Farming in J&K) provided the brief about the program that will cover 153 identified clusters in 15 districts and the involvement of 15 KVKs from J&K.
