Himachal set to be a natural farming state: Acharya Devvrat

Himachal set to be a natural farming state: Acharya Devvrat

Six-day training camp on natural farming concludes at Nauni university

Vijyender Sharma

SHIMLA-----The six-day long training programme on Subhash Palekar natural farming under 'Prakritik Krishi Khushal Kisan Yojana' organized by the Agriculture department at Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni in Solan district concluded today.  

            Governor of Uttarakhand Baby Rani Maurya presided over the closing session while Governor of Himachal Pradesh Acharya Devvrat and Deputy Chairman, NITI Ayog Dr. Rajiv Kumar were present as special guests. Padma Shri Subhash Palekar was present as a trainer in this camp.

            Speaking on the occasion, Acharya Devvrat expressed his gratitude to the Governor of Uttarakhand and the Deputy Chairman of the NITI Ayog for participating in this camp. While congratulating the state government and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, he said that the government has recognized importance of natural farming and became a partner to promote it in the state. Last year, against the target of connecting 500 farmers with natural farming, around three thousand farmers adopted it. This year the target has been set to motivate 50 thousand farmers to shift towards this system of agriculture.

            He said that around one thousand farmers of nine districts of the state have been imparted training during this camp, who would ensure promotion of natural farming at village level. He hoped that before 2022, Himachal Pradesh would become a natural farming state.

            Uttrakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya suggested that keeping in view the importance of the Himalayan region, experts should make efforts to establish a joint platform related to natural farming for all Himalayan states. This way, all the hill states would be able to share the best experiences in the field of natural farming. She said that efforts would be made to implement natural farming system in Uttarakhand state to benefit the farmers.

            Deputy Chairman, NITI Ayog Dr Rajiv Kumar said that we were working at every level to fulfil the call of the Prime Minister to double the income of the farmers. The Prime Minister has himself recommended the name of Governor Acharya Devvrat for promoting the model of natural farming.

            He assured that the NITI Ayog would provide all possible help to promote the Subhash Palekar natural farming system. He stressed that a mass movement was must to supplement the efforts of the government in promotion og organic farming.

            Padam Shree Subhash Palekar said that with strong intention and cooperation of the farmers, we could move towards achieving the goal of natural farming.

            Earlier, Project Director of Natural Farming Rakesh Kanwar welcomed and honoured the chief guest and the special guests.

            Executive Director of the project Rajeshwar Chandel presented the vote of thanks.

            The progressive farmers and orchardist, who have adopted the model of natural farming, shared on-stage experience during the training programme and gave their valuable suggestions.

            Managing Director, GNG Agritech and West Management Pvt. Ltd. S. K. Agarwal and Chairman of the Logistics Agro Research Foundation Nitish Narula also addressed the farmers and proposed that they would purchase the natural products from the state at one and a half time high cost.

            Advisor of the Governor Dr Shashikant Sharma was also present on this occasion.