The annual review meeting of the research activities work on Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) being undertaken by the scientists of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, was held on Sunday at the campus.

Dr Parvinder Kaushal, UHF Vice-Chancellor, Rakesh Kanwar, Special Secretary Agriculture- cum-State Project Director SPNF, Dr Rajeshwar Chandel, Executive Director, State Project Implementing Unit, and Dr Ravinder Sharma, Joint Director Research attended the meeting.

The team of scientists working on SPNF at the University main campus, Mashobra, and Tabo took part in the meeting. Dr. Subhash Verma, Coordinator of the SPNF at the university presented the progress report of the research activities on various crops carried out over the past year. Speaking on the occasion, Rakesh Kanwar congratulated the university scientists for working towards establishing science-based findings on the farming technique.

“The work done by the university will help to develop the Package of Practices for the farmers in the future.

Over 1.2 lakh farmers from all districts in majority of the panchayats of the state have adopted natural farming and the feedback received from them is very encouraging,” he added.He suggested that the university could link up with these farmers to broaden their field study. Dr Chandel was of the view that the university should also develop some agroforestry models under the SPNF so that a five-layered system could be made. Collaborations with farmers for seed production of local varieties under this were also discussed.

UHF Vice Chancellor Dr Parvinder Kaushal said the university would collaborate to find out the effectiveness of the low-cost storage and processing technologies and protocols developed by the university under the natural farming technique. He was of the view that research on traditional crops grown in the state could also be undertaken under this system.

Dr Kaushal urged the scientists to sincerely work towards the sustainability of nature by developing a credible alternate system of farming for the farmers.