On April 17, 2025, two training programs focused on advancing natural farming practices were inaugurated at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K). These initiatives, organized by the Directorate of Extension/SAMETI, are being conducted in collaboration with MANAGE Hyderabad, the Department of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare as part of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).
Launched in November 2024, the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at promoting chemical-free, cost-effective, and sustainable agriculture. With plans to reach one crore farmers and establish 10,000 Bio-input Resource Centres, the mission focuses on improving soil health, lowering input costs, and enhancing food safety through widespread adoption of natural farming methods.
These training programs are designed to strengthen the capacity of KVK scientists, officials, and master trainers from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The goal is to equip participants with practical knowledge and technical skills that will foster sustainable farming practices in the Himalayan region.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Nazir Ahmed Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, highlighted Ladakh’s potential to serve as a model for natural farming and proposed the development of a mobile application to document indigenous and emerging agricultural practices. Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the compatibility of natural farming with Ladakh’s fragile agro-ecological systems and the need to empower grassroots-level stakeholders.
The programme features expert-led technical sessions, immersive field visits, and hands-on training aimed at promoting resilient and eco-friendly farming systems tailored to the unique challenges of high-altitude agriculture.
