CAU to host the national conference on natural farming
REGIONAL: The Central Agricultural University (CAU) in Imphal to host the National Conference on "Natural Farming: Pathways to Self-reliant Farming and Rural Prosperity (NCNF 2026)" from September 9 to 11 at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGSAS) in Umiam, Meghalaya. This significant event will convene over 400 delegates from 21 states and 51 agricultural institutions including 95 natural farming practitioners who will share valuable experiences and practices in natural farming.
This gathering highlights a national commitment to promoting natural farmings in enhancing farm resilience, improving farmer incomes and enhancing rural prosperity.
Addressing a press conference at Shillong Press Club Monday, Prof Dwipendra Thakuria, Dean of CPGSAS and lead organiser of the conference, articulated the event's goals of revitalsing farming systems and promoting rural prosperity, specifically addressing the Northeastern region's unique challenges and opportunities.
He underscored the necessity of a systematic and economically viable integration of natural farming through scientific validation, proper certification, education and enhanced capacity building for farmers.
Prof Thakuria identified six critical challenges that the conference will tackle: climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, farm income sustainability, food and nutrition security and environmental health. These challenges, driven by unpredictable climatic conditions, soil depletion due to excessive reliance on synthetic inputs, and ongoing biodiversity decline are significant impediments to sustainable agriculture.
The conference will revolve around six major themes: Revitalising Farms, Eco-friendly Plant Protection, Genetic Resources and Seeds, Symbiotic Farming, Nutrition and Environment, and Governance and Production. These discussions will encompass restoration of soil health and fertility, sustainable plant protection methods, farmer autonomy regarding seeds and genetic resources, integrated farming practices involving crops, livestock, horticulture, agroforestry and fisheries, as well as policies aimed at expanding nutritional security and environmental sustainability particularly within the Northeast region.
Over three days, NCNF 2026 will feature 26 technical and knowledge-sharing sessions, presentations on evidence-based farming practices, and videos showcasing practical experiences of farmers. A field visit to a practicing natural farmer is also scheduled, enriching the conference discussions with firsthand insights, which will lead to a compilation of recommendations and tangible outcomes.
The inaugural session will be attended by dignitaries including Chief Guest Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam, Guest of Honour Narayan Singh Kushwah, Minister of Social Justice and Horticulture in Madhya Pradesh, and Timothy D Shira, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in Meghalaya. This esteemed gathering will also comprise Vice Chancellors from agricultural universities, farmer representatives and senior public officials.
The opening ceremony will be presided over by Dr Anupam Mishra, Vice Chancellor of CAU.
The conference, which is being organized in collaboration with several partners, including ICAR New Delhi and various agricultural universities, operates under the guiding motto "One Farm, One Ecosystem, One Health." This philosophy advocates for an integrated approach to sustainable farming, encouraging the cooperative functioning of crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture and other farm elements in a unified ecosystem that promotes the health of soil, plants, animals and people.