21-Day Natural Farming Training Begins at MPUAT

(mohsina bano)

Udaipur– A 21-day national training program titled “Harmony with Nature: Research and Innovation in Natural Farming” commenced at the Directorate of Research, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur. The program is sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, and was inaugurated under the chairmanship of former Vice-Chancellor Dr. Uma Shankar Sharma.

Dr. Sharma emphasized that natural farming is environment-friendly and contributes to soil health improvement. He urged participants to act as brand ambassadors in their respective regions. The training has attracted 26 scientists from five states.

Dr. S.K. Sharma, Assistant Director General (Human Resources), ICAR, New Delhi, highlighted that natural farming is not just a technique but an ecological approach that aligns with nature. He emphasized the importance of Jeevamrut, Beejamrut, Dhanjeevamrut, mulching, and organic pesticides in sustainable farming.

Guest of Honor Dr. Sharma announced that considering the significance of natural farming, special undergraduate courses on the subject are being introduced nationwide. He added that India has gained global attention in this field and must lead the way in research and training.

Course Director and Director of Research Dr. Arvind Verma elaborated on the training curriculum, which includes 49 theoretical lectures, 9 practical sessions, and 4 field visits. He stressed the need to develop strong literature on natural farming and disseminate training content through social media platforms to raise awareness.

The event was attended by Dr. R.L. Soni, Dr. Sunil Joshi, Dr. Manoj Mahla, Dr. Amit Trivedi, Dr. Ravikant Sharma, Dr. S.C. Meena, and various heads of departments and scientists from Rajasthan College of Agriculture. The program was conducted by Dr. Latika Sharma.