Agartala, Tripura/Imphal, Manipur, 9th of September, 2026 : The Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, started the inaugural sessionof National Conference on “Natural Farming: Pathways to Self-reliant Farming and Rural Prosperity (NCNF 2026) on 9th September, 2026 at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CAU-Imphal), Umiam, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya. The conference is being held under the patronage of Dr. Anupam Mishra, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, CAU, Imphal, and guidance of Prof. Dwipendra Thakuria, Dean, CPGSAS and Organizing Secretary, NCNF 2026, with participation from leading agricultural institutions, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, extension professionals, students, and farmers from across the country.
The inaugural session wasgraced by His Excellency, Governor of Assam,Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya ji, as the Chief Guest in the presence of esteemed guest of honourDr. Joram Aniya, Member, NITI Aayog, New Delhi, Dr. P.S. Pandey, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, RPCAU, Pusa, Bihar;Dr. A.K. Singh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, RLBCAU, Jhansi;Dr. C.K. Timbadia, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Natural Farming Science University, Gujarat; Dr D.J. Rajkhowa, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati Assam, Shri Dinesh Kulkarni Ji, All India Organizing Secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh; Shri Bhagiya Vadla Ji, All India Executive Member, RSS; and Dr. Anupam Mishra, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, CAU, Imphal.
The program was officially started will a welcome address byDr. Anupam Mishra, Hon’ble,Vice-Chancellor, Central AgriculturalUniversity, Imphal. He felicitated all the distinguished dignitaries onthe dais and extended a warmand gracious welcome for their esteemed presenceon this auspicious occasion.
While, addressing the gathering, His Excellency,Governor of Assam,Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya ji, congratulated CentralAgricultural University, Imphal, andits Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Dr.Anupam Mishra, for organizing theNational Conference on the highlyrelevant theme of natural farming.He emphasized restoring confidence and pride in India’s traditional agricultural wisdom, noting that agriculture has long been the foundation of national prosperity and self-reliance. Drawing from Sikkim’s success in organic farming, he highlighted sustainable agriculture in harmony with nature, respecting land as “Mother Earth,” adopting practices suited to local soil, climate, and resources, and reducing dependence on external inputs. He stressed the potential of the biodiversity-rich North-Eastern Region to become a hub for natural farming and promote its GI-tagged products under the “Local to Global” vision. He emphasized that natural farming should enhance farmers’ income and self-reliance through strong value chains involving production, processing, packaging, branding, and market access. He called for collective efforts by scientists, farmers, institutions, policymakers, and governments to integrate scientific innovation, indigenous knowledge, local experience, and market opportunities, ultimately transforming natural farming into a people’s movement for a prosperous, sustainable, and self-reliant India.
Dr. Joram Aniya, Member, NITI Aayog, urged students and researchers to apply scientific knowledge to agriculture and preserve farming heritage. She emphasized the link between soil health, food quality, and human well-being, calling for reduced dependence on chemical inputs and greater investment and innovation to make agriculture sustainable and rewarding. Referring to Viksit Bharat 2047, she stressed that a developed India must begin with healthy farms and soils.
Dr. P. S. Pandey, Vice-Chancellor, RPCAU, Samastipur, emphasized the growing acceptance of natural farming and highlighted his contribution to developing the ICAR syllabus for Natural Farming at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He shared RPCAU’s experience in introducing a B.Sc. programme in Natural Farming, which has created internship and employment opportunities, and noted the role of KVKs in promoting research and experimentation.
Dr. A. K. Singh, former DDG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR, highlighted the traditional roots and future potential of natural farming. He stressed the need for scientific research, region-specific recommendations, and its inclusion in higher agricultural education. He noted its potential to provide nutritious food, increase farmers’ income, and address environmental concerns through collective efforts.
Dr. C. K. Timbadia, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat Natural Farming Science University, highlighted the University’s efforts to promote natural farming through eco-friendly practices focused on restoring soil fertility, health, and biological activity.
Dr. D. J. Rajkhowa, Vice-Chancellor, AAU, Jorhat, emphasized the importance of natural farming for the sustainable future of Indian agriculture. While acknowledging India’s transition from food scarcity to food security, he stressed the need to focus on nutritional security, environmental sustainability, soil health, and safe food. He highlighted the North-Eastern Region’s potential for natural and organic farming due to its fertile soils, abundant water, biodiversity, and agro-diversity, and emphasized the role of agricultural universities and research institutions in developing sustainable technologies. He expressed confidence that the seminar would provide a meaningful roadmap for advancing natural farming in India.
Shri Dinesh Kulkarni, All India Organizing Secretary, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, emphasized a shift towards “production with nutrition” and highlighted natural farming’s role in resource recycling, improving soil and plant health, and reducing cultivation costs. He stressed integrating livestock, natural farming, value addition, processing, and marketing to strengthen farmers’ self-reliance and sustainable agriculture.
Shri Bhagiya Vadla, All India Executive Member, RSS, emphasized strengthening sustainable and self-reliant farming based on local knowledge and resources. He recognized innovative farmers as “farmer-scientists” and urged scientists and institutions to scientifically validate successful farmer-led innovations for wider adoption.
During the inaugural, His Excellency, Hon’ble Governor of Assam,Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya,formally released publications on Natural Farming, including the Abstract Compendium, Poster Book, and Media Chronicle.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Dwipendra Thakuria, Dean, CAU-CPGSAS, Umiam, Meghalaya, and Organizing Secretary.
NCNF 2026 is organized in collaboration with ICAR, New Delhi; DST–NECTAR, Shillong; Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi; Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa; and Gujarat Natural Farming Science University. The three-day conference includes keynote lectures, technical sessions, oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, stakeholder consultations, practitioner–trader interactions, exhibitions, and discussions on natural farming education. Around 500 participants, including farmers, natural farming practitioners, policymakers, researchers, certification agencies, and industry representatives, are attending the conference.
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