Nauni varsity selected as Center under the National Mission on Natural Farming
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Solan Dec 21 ,2024 : In a significant achievement, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, has been selected as one of the seven Centers of Natural Farming (CoNF) under the newly launched National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.
The mission, with a total outlay of Rs. 2481 crore, was recently approved by the Union Cabinet. It aims to promote natural farming across the country through a mission-mode approach. This initiative is rooted in traditional agricultural practices passed down through generations, focusing on chemical-free farming. Natural farming (NF) integrates local livestock and diversified cropping systems, adhering to the principles of agro-ecology and employing location-specific technologies.
Dr YS Parmar University has now been selected as one of the prominent CoNFs alongside Gurukul, Kurukshetra; UAS Dharwad; Gujarat Natural Farming Science University; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University; Rythu Sadhikara Samstha, Andhra Pradesh; and Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi. This recognition underscores the university’s pioneering efforts in promoting natural farming in India.
Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, Vice Chancellor of the UHF Nauni, expressed his gratitude to the Government of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister for launching this mission. “This is both a remarkable achievement and an exciting challenge for us. For several years, we have been at the forefront of research and extension activities in natural farming,” he said. He also emphasized that this recognition will enhance the university’s capacity to generate scientific data on natural farming and further support the validation of this eco-friendly, sustainable agricultural approach.
The mission will also benefit Himachal Pradesh, where more than 1.7 lakh farmers are already practicing natural farming under the aegis of Department of Agriculture. Himachal Government has also taken a lead by becoming the first state in India to purchase wheat at Rs. 40 per kilogram and maize at Rs. 30 per kilogram from farmers engaged in natural farming. The university has partnered with over 15 institutions across 11 countries as part of the European Commission-funded ACROPICS project on agroecology. Additionally, the university has been instrumental in developing natural farming curricula for NCERT and agricultural graduates through ICAR.
Prof. Chandel, who serves on the National Advisory Committee for the Promotion of Natural Farming, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and is a member of the committee developing curricula for NCERT and ICAR, noted that the first meeting of the CoNFs will be held from December 22–23 in Hyderabad to establish the Standard Operating Procedures for the mission.
The NMNF seeks to promote natural farming practices that will provide safe and nutritious food, reduce cultivation costs, and decrease dependency on externally purchased inputs. It also aims to build healthy soil ecosystems, foster biodiversity, and support diverse cropping systems tailored to local agro-ecological conditions. Through this initiative, the government is working towards sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and improved food security for farmers and consumers alike.
