French Scientists in Himachal to learn about Natural Farming Initiatives

A distinguished team of four scientists from the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) has commenced a three-week visit to Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni and the state. Their mission is to explore the university's innovative work in agroecology, with a focus on natural farming practices.

The team, led by Prof. Allison Marie Loconto, Deputy Director of LISIS, includes researchers Prof. Mireille Matt, Dr. Evelyne Lhoste, and Dr. Renee Van Dis. Their visit is part of the European Commission-funded Agroecological Crop Protection Towards International Co-Innovation Dynamics and Evidence of Sustainability (ACROPICS) project. Coordinated by INRAE, the ACROPICS project seeks to advance co-innovation in agroecological crop protection.

The ACROPICS consortium comprises 15 members from 13 countries, including 12 academic institutions and three companies. Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry is recognized for its pioneering efforts in agroecological practices, such as natural farming and is the sole Indian representative in this project. The project's objective is to reduce chemical pesticide use through systemic innovations in agroecological crop protection and to provide robust scientific data supporting the sustainability of these systems.

The delegation received a warm reception at the university on Wednesday. In an interaction with the university Natural farming team, Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel welcomed the French scientists and reaffirmed the university's dedication to advancing sustainable food systems through natural farming. He highlighted the university's progress in various crops under natural farming systems, emphasizing their potential for widespread adoption by farmers.

Dr. Inder Dev, Director of Extension Education, provided an overview of the university's natural farming initiatives, while Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, Director of Research, presented on the university's research activities. Prof. Allison Marie Loconto gave an in-depth presentation on INRAE and the ACROPICS project. The team also toured the university's medicinal plants farm, natural farming block, and the newly established ‘UHF Natural Store’, which features over 100 products from various natural farming-based farmer producer companies supported by the university.

Over the next three weeks, the French scientists will interact with the university researchers involved in natural farming, visit the university's farms, and engage with progressive farmers and natural farming producer companies in Karsog and Chopal. They will also meet with the State Project Implementation Unit to discuss innovations related to the certification of natural farming practices in the state. Insights gained from these interactions will contribute to the ACROPICS project.