Srinagar, May 19: A four-day training program on ‘Natural Farming’ commenced on Tuesday atSher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus.
The training is being organised by Directorate of Extension, SKUAST-K under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) for KVK scientists and field management teams.
The program aims to enhance the technical knowledge and practical skills of participants in various aspects of natural farming, including natural input preparation, soil health management, eco-friendly pest management practices, and effective extension strategies for promoting sustainable agriculture among farming communities.
The inaugural session was presided by Vice Chancellor, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who stressed the urgent need to adopt natural farming practices for restoring soil fertility, conserving natural resources, and ensuring safe and nutritious food production.
He emphasized that natural farming has immense potential to transform agriculture into a sustainable and climate-resilient enterprise while reducing dependency on chemical inputs.
Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension, SKUAST-K, presented a detailed overview of the training program and highlighted its objectives, key components, and expected outcomes. She emphasized that the programme has been designed to strengthen the technical knowledge and practical skills of KVK Scientists and Field Management Teams.
Registrar, SKUAST-K, Prof. Azmat Alam Khan, addressed the participants and highlighted the importance of integrated and sustainable farming approaches for improving farm productivity, resource conservation, and farmers’ livelihoods through eco-friendly agricultural practices.
Prof. Masood Salim Mir, Associate Director Extension (Animal Science), in his welcome address, emphasized the significance of natural farming in ensuring ecological sustainability, improving soil health, and promoting integrated farming systems for enhancing farmers’ income and livelihood security.