Shimla: In a bid to enhance natural and organic farming practices in Assam, a delegation of seven agriculture officials from the state embarked on a three-day exposure tour to Himachal Pradesh.
Led by Dr. Mausam Hazarika, Director of Assam Seed and Organic Certification Agency, the team visited fields in Shimla district where farmers employ non-chemical, low-cost, and climate-resilient natural farming techniques.
During their visit, the Assam officials engaged with the Directorate of Agriculture in Shimla, where they received comprehensive information on natural farming.
Dr. Mohinder Bhavani, Deputy Director of the Natural Farming Khushhal Kisan Yojana, presented details on the successful implementation of natural farming in Himachal Pradesh.
Over 1.70 lakh farmers in the state have adopted this approach on more than 24,000 hectares of land, with a focus on reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
A highlight of the visit was a presentation by agricultural scientist and economist Dr. Manoj Gupta on the unique self-certification system developed by Himachal Pradesh for farmers practicing natural farming.
This system, which has issued certificates to over 1 lakh farmers, has garnered praise from NITI Aayog, showcasing its effectiveness in promoting sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Hazarika expressed the commitment of the Assam government to promote natural and organic farming in the state.
He mentioned the recent Assam Conclave on Natural Farming and increasing awareness programs to encourage chemical-free farming practices.
The exposure tour to Himachal Pradesh aims to gather insights and learn from successful models of farmers in the mountainous region.
The Assam officers' team, which includes Deputy Director Jiten Kumar Das and Seed Certification Officer Shayamal Jyoti Mahanta, emphasized the importance of this exposure trip in enhancing their understanding of natural farming techniques, especially in a mountainous terrain like Himachal Pradesh.
They highlighted the need for a planned approach to promote non-chemical organic and natural farming practices in Assam, drawing inspiration from the successful experiences of other states like Karnataka.