ICAR-ATARI Kolkata and Nimpith KVK Hosts Workshop-cum-Capacity Building Programme on Natural Farming

A one-day Workshop-cum-Capacity building programme on Natural Farming was jointly organised on March 29, 2024, by ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata, and Ramkrishna Ashram Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nimpith KVK, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.

Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata, highlighted the importance of natural farming in promoting environmental management, ensuring safe and nutritious food production, and conserving biodiversity. He highlighted the four pillars of natural farming, including reducing dependence on synthetic inputs and expensive technologies and achieving long-term economic benefits for farmers. Dr. Dey highlighted the efforts of 34 KVKs in Eastern India, including Nimpith KVK, in promoting natural farming practices in various districts.

Swami Sadanandaji Maharaj, Chairman, Ramkrishna Ashram Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nimpith said that natural farming is in sync with the peaceful coexistence of nature. He also encouraged the participants towards ‘Healthy Living’ by adopting Natural Farming in their farming practices.

Dr. C.K. Mondal, Head, Ramkrishna Ashram-KVK Nimpith, briefed about the project activity being taken up by KVK and shared the positive feedback of farmers practicing Natural Farming.

Hands-on training on the preparation of different ingredients of natural farming like Bijamrit, Jivamrit, Ghanjivamrit, Neemastra, Brahmastra, and Agniastra, was provided during the programme. Publications on natural farming were distributed during the event for the benefit of stakeholders.

A visit to neighboring natural farming demonstration locations in farmers' fields was also planned for the participants as part of the "seeing is believing" philosophy. More than 50 people participated in the program.