International Conference Highlights the Impact of Natural Farming on Employment, Climate Change, and Sustainability
A panel discussion on the roles of academia, industry, and farmers in upscaling agroecological practices highlighted several key points. Dr. Manish Kumar, Dean COH Nauni, emphasized the importance of recognizing local crop diversity and traditional knowledge. Dr. Yashwant Patil from SYNGENTA discussed the industry’s role in developing bio-stimulants, bio-fertilizers, and bio-fungicides. Sujit Kumar Chakrabarty from Prakritik Krishi Tantr LLP, Pune, advocated for integrating Krishi Panchang into agricultural curricula. Umendra Dutt from Kheti Virasat Mission Punjab stressed the need for broader food security dialogues beyond rice and wheat crops. Progressive apple grower Jittu Chauhan and farmer Jiwan Singh Rana both highlighted the importance of online education and successful farmer involvement in training new farmers. Dr. RC Aggarwal, DDG Education, called for integrating mobile application-based RAWE programs to enhance student-farmer engagement.
The conference concluded with a panel discussion on furthering innovations in natural farming for food sustenance and natural resource management. Dr. Bruno Dorin, Senior Economist at CIRAD, France, presented insights on future scenarios for Andhra Pradesh. Recommendations included the potential for natural farming to significantly improve food quality, create employment for 5 million farmers, and reduce unemployment from 30% to 7%. Dr. Kapil Shah from Jatan Trust emphasized the need for measuring yield based on agricultural inputs, while Dr. Alizee Guimbeau from Saint Aubin Group, Mauritius, called for educational initiatives to reduce insecticide use in Mauritius. The conference set the stage for meaningful advancements in natural farming practices, paving the way for enhanced sustainability, food security, and environmental stewardship.
