Nauni, HIL forge partnership to advance natural farming in India

In a groundbreaking development, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) to promote natural farming across India. The MOU facilitates the joint implementation of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Regional Child Project, which focuses on reducing and managing agrochemical use through the Fostering Agrochemical Reduction & Management (FARM) initiative in India.

HIL, a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, manufactures agrochemicals, seeds, and water-soluble fertilizers. This collaboration marks a pioneering effort by a company traditionally involved in the production of agrochemicals and fertilizers to actively promote natural farming practices in the country.

The MOU was signed by Prof. RS Chandel, Vice Chancellor of UHF, and  Kuldeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of HIL. The primary goal of the FARM project is to offer safer alternatives to chemical pesticides and promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices, including natural farming, among India's farming communities. The initiative aims to transition 1.5 million hectares of farmland from conventional chemical farming to organic/natural farming methods and protect 1.5 million people from exposure to harmful pesticides.

Prof. Chandel described the occasion as a historic moment for the university, emphasizing its role as a pioneer in natural farming and agroecology. He expressed excitement about the partnership with HIL, noting that the collaboration would contribute significantly to reducing chemical use in agriculture and developing pilot models for nationwide implementation.

Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, renowned for its expertise in agroecology and natural farming, is also a key member in the European Union-funded ACROPICS consortium. This consortium, which includes 15 members from 13 countries, aims to reduce chemical pesticide use through innovative agro ecological crop protection methods. The university was recently recognized as one of the seven Centers of Natural Farming (CoNF) under the newly launched National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), a scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of India.  Prof. Chandel also highlighted the alignment between the objectives of the ACROPICS project and the FARM initiative, emphasizing how both aim to reduce the use of chemical pesticides while fostering sustainable agricultural practices in India.

The Global FARM Project, launched by governments in Ecuador, India, Kenya, Laos, the Philippines, Uruguay, and Vietnam, aims to create a regulatory and financial framework to detoxify the agricultural sector. Led by the UN Environment Programme and supported by the Global Environment Facility, the project is implemented by the Asian Development Bank, UNDP, and UNIDO, with execution handled by FAO and relevant country institutions. The FARM initiative is designed to transform agriculture by shifting policy and financial resources toward reducing agrochemical use. Its goals include creating environmentally sustainable farming systems, restoring ecosystems, phasing out harmful inputs, lowering agricultural carbon emissions, and building resilient communities for smallholder farmers. In Asia, the Regional FARM Project will focus on India and the Philippines, promoting eco-friendly solutions for managing hazardous pesticides. This partnership between UHF and HIL represents a significant step forward in promoting natural farming as a viable and sustainable alternative to conventional chemical farming in India.