Over 70 participants from different backgrounds, including farmers, scientists, NGOs, and government officials from Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand, recently gathered at Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni.
They attended a meeting organised by the Consortium for Agroecological Transformations (CAT), North Region, in collaboration with UHF Nauni and GIZ India, to discuss ways to improve farming through agroecology.
The event, part of a national initiative, aimed to promote sustainable, farmer-focused agriculture. Experts shared insights on transforming farming in North India.
Food policy expert Devinder Sharma emphasised the need for large-scale adoption of agroecology, increased government investment in farming, and better pricing for farmers to make agriculture a viable profession. He also praised UHF’s work in natural farming.
UHF Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajeshwar S. Chandel highlighted the benefits of natural farming for farmers, consumers, and the environment. He stressed the importance of collaboration among institutions, government bodies, and civil society to promote agroecology and rural development.
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Minhaj Ameen from the Bharat Agroecology Fund said that India is working to improve its food systems, and agroecology is a promising solution. He called for better cooperation among different organisations to support this approach.
Ute Rieckmann from GIZ India added that global challenges like climate change and land degradation require international efforts, with a focus on research and capacity-building for farmers.
Umendra Dutt from Kheti Virasat Mission urged for a more integrated approach to food production, involving multiple government ministries. He called for greater focus on organic and natural farming in agricultural education and research institutions.
Participants agreed that farmers practicing organic and natural farming should receive incentives for their contributions to environmental sustainability and fair prices for their produce.
As a first step, CAT has identified three regions to develop agroecological models and plans to expand to seven more across India.
These areas will receive long-term support, including training and resources, to create successful agroecological farming systems. CAT also expressed interest in collaborating with UHF to strengthen research and training in agroecology.
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