Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nuts Cultivation Company (NCC) based in Georgia. This collaboration aims to foster agroecological practices and enhance natural farming techniques. NCC currently oversees more than 1,000 hectares of almond and hazelnut orchards and is actively involved in training smallholder farmers in organic farming practices through the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Vocational Education Training (VET) initiative.
The partnership with UHF will integrate natural farming methods to improve these organic practices, utilizing locally available resources for plant nutrition and pest management in Georgia.
The partnership’s primary goal is to facilitate collaboration between UHF and NCC to promote agroecological methods. Both institutions will share academic knowledge and organize visits from faculty members, experts in natural farming, and scholars.
A delegation from UHF, headed by Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, is currently in Georgia to create a framework for ongoing cooperation. The team has visited several of NCC’s orchards and discussed the potential for transitioning to natural farming practices in regions of eastern Georgia, such as Kazbechi and Sighnagi.
Prof. Chandel emphasized UHF Nauni’s renowned expertise in agroecology and natural farming, highlighting the university's involvement in the European Union-supported ACROPICS consortium, which aims to reduce pesticide use through innovative agroecological crop protection methods.
UHF Nauni is also one of seven Centers of Natural Farming (CoNF) established under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), a government initiative from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare. The university also plays a leading role in the training of agricultural resource personnel.
Under this collaboration, UHF will offer training on sustainable agroecological practices, with a specific focus on natural farming techniques for almond and hazelnut orchards. In return, NCC will provide financial assistance for the visits of UHF faculty, experts, and scholars to Georgia. This partnership is set to make a significant contribution to advancing sustainable agriculture in both regions, combining knowledge and innovative agroecological practices for mutual benefit.
