Farmers and Researchers deliberate on Sustainable Agroecological Practices

Mandi, September 3,2024:  Scientists from the French Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) and Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, recently convened a workshop focused on evaluating the social impacts of natural farming initiatives. This event is part of the European Union-funded Agroecological Protection towards International Co-Innovation Dynamics and Evidence of Sustainability (ACROPICS) project.

The workshop featured INRAE scientists, including Prof. Allison Loconto, Prof. Mireille Matt, Dr. Evelyne Lhost, and Dr. Renne Van Dis. They joined hands with UHF’s ACROPICS team and local farmers practicing natural farming to conduct a Programme for the Analysis of Social Impact (ASIRPA). The ACROPICS consortium includes 15 members from 12 countries and 12 academic institutions, including UHF. The project is studying Sustainable Agroecosystems (SAS) from each member country. Specifically, the project is examining two SAS from UHF: Gram Disha Trust and Chaupal Natural Farmers Producers Company.

Prof. Allison Loconto welcomed the participants and shared insights into the project’s objectives, showcasing innovative sustainable practices from various countries. She said that the sustainable practices in different countries will offer valuable lessons for reducing chemical pesticide use and advancing agroecological crop protection.  The workshop included a presentation and  discussion on the CETARA certification system for natural farming by Rakesh Kumar, Project Director ATMA Mandi. The presentation emphasized the benefits of cost-effective certification and the importance of traceability in building consumer trust.

Dr. Inder Dev, Director of Extension Education, reiterated the university’s commitment to various agroecological practices, including natural farming, with the goal of providing safer, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective farming technologies. The workshop included sessions on boosting natural farming activities and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to support these efforts.

The workshop was attended by representatives from Gram Disha Trust and three natural farming-based Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in Karsog, Solan, and Sundernagar. These FPCs are a part of UHF’s innovative Sustainable Food System Platform (SusPNF) project. This initiative, supported by the State Agriculture Department and NABARD aims to empower natural farmers, advance agricultural practices, and improve local community welfare. The university is leveraging its expertise to assist Natural Farmer’s Producer companies in accessing grants and support from NABARD, effectively bridging the gap between available resources and the farming community. The partnership aims to establish a robust support system for natural farmers, encompassing vital resources such as post-harvest assistance, alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and various forms of technical support.

Millet man of Himachal Padam Shree awardee Nek Ram Sharma, ATMA team including Deputy Project Director ATMA Sanjay Kumar, members of the University’s Dr Subhash Sharma, Ashish Gupta, Rohit Vashisht and farmers attended this workshop.