Workshop explores social impact of natural farming at Nerwa

Nerwa, September 7, 2024: In an effort to develop strategies and assess the social impacts of natural farming initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, a one-day workshop was held at Nerwa in Shimla District. The event was organized by the French Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra Shimla for the stakeholders of Chaupal Natural Farmers’ Producer Company.

The workshop was part of the EU-funded Agroecological Protection towards International Co-Innovation Dynamics and Evidence of Sustainability (ACROPICS) project. This initiative involves 15 members from 12 countries, including Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry. The project focuses on examining Sustainable Agroecosystems (SAS) from each member country, with Chaupal Natural Farmers’ Producer Company and Gram Disha Trust from UHF Nauni representing India.

The event featured key contributions from international and local experts. INRAE scientists, including Prof. Allison Loconto, Prof. Mireille Matt, Dr. Evelyne Lhost, and Dr. Renne Van Dis, were present during this workshop. Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan, Director Research, Dr. Subhash Sharma, and Dr. Chandresh Guleria took part from the university while Dr. Usha Sharma represented the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Shimla. The Chaupal Natural Farmers’ Producer Company was represented by the Board of Directors  Vinod Mehta, Surender Mehta, Manoj Sharma, and Kripal Daulta, alongside various farmer members.

Prof. Allison Loconto outlined the ACROPICS project objectives, emphasizing the study of sustainable practices from different countries and their potential global implementation to reduce chemical dependency. Dr. Ravinder Jasrotia, Joint Director Agriculture, discussed the government's efforts to promote natural farming in the state. Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan highlighted the university's role in supporting the FPC with technical assistance, processing low-quality fruit into juice, marketing, and product development.

The workshop was marked by enthusiastic participation from farmers, with sessions focusing on enhancing natural farming practices, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and strategizing for future efforts. The French team also visited the FPC office and conducted field visits to local farms, gaining insight into the practical aspects of the initiative. Vinod Mehta, Chairman of the FPC, provided an overview of the FPC activities.

The Chaupal Naturals FPC is part of UHF’s Sustainable Food System Platform (SusPNF) project, supported by the State Agriculture Department and NABARD. This project aims to empower natural farmers, advance agricultural practices, and enhance community welfare. UHF is assisting FPCs in accessing grants and resources from NABARD, bridging the gap between available support and the farming community. The workshop was attended by 94 participants, including Deputy Project Director ATMA Manish Sood, members of the local ATMA team, Project Fellow Rohit Vashisht and farmers.