A three-days National conference on Next Generation Agriculture - Organic and Natural Farming Pathways: Extension Strategies and Approaches inaugurated at JNKVV, Jabalpur on January 28, 2024. This three day conference is being jointly organized by International Society of Extension Education, Nagpur, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Jabalpur and Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur from January 28 to 30, 2024.
Chief Guest on the inaugural programme of the conference Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, Hon'ble Deputy Director General (NRM), ICAR, New Delhi emphasized importance of organic and natural farming in enriching the soil. He stated 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 mechanism.
Prof. K. Narayana Gowda, President, International Society of Extension Education Nagpur, Maharashtra brief the participants about the theme of the conference and activities and initiatives taken by the society.
Dr. C.K. Timbadia, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Natural Farming Science University, Gujarat in his remarks presented the status of natural faming in India and initiatives taken by his university in implementation of the undergraduate courses in Natural Farming.
Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, MANAGE, Hyderabad informed about the initiatives taken by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and initiative of MANAGE "National Mission on Natural Farming Management and Knowledge Portal" in capacity building and awareness programmes in Natural Farming.
Prof. P.K. Mishra, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, JNKVV, Jabalpur in his remarks emphasized that natural farming is the successful farming practice. Organic and natural farming is the need of the hour and he cited an example of successful farmer earning 11 lakh rupees per hectare land Jabalpur.
He also stated that the agro-climate zone specific and crop specific package of practices should be developed. He also stressed there should be separate provision for procurement of organic and natural farming produce at the APMC Mandi
On this occasion Dr A. K Singh, Vice Chancellor, Rani Laxmi Bai, Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Dr J.P. Sharma, Ex- Vice-Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu, Dr Anupam Mishra Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal and Dr Daniel Gustafson, DDG 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.
