changeadminThe National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), Ghaziabad, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, organised a two-day National Seminar-cum-Exhibition on March 24–25, 2026, to promote organic and natural farming across the country.
The programme saw participation from scientists, policymakers, agricultural officers, farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), bio-input manufacturers, progressive farmers, and students.
Organic and natural farming is a sustainable agricultural system that supports soil, ecosystems, and human health by relying on ecological processes, biodiversity, and natural cycles rather than synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
Driven by rising health awareness and government support, organic farming in India is rapidly expanding, with many traditional farmers transitioning to natural methods.
The two-day seminar was inaugurated by Dr S.K. Choudhary, Director General of the Fertiliser Association of India, in New Delhi. He emphasised the importance of natural resources for promoting natural and organic farming to maintain soil fertility, protect the environment, and reduce cultivation costs.
Among the distinguished guests, Dr J.K. Jena, Director General of the Department of Fisheries, discussed the role of organic agriculture in fisheries, while Dr Velu Murugan highlighted the significance of natural resources in soil health management.
Padma Shri awardee Nek Ram Sharma, another distinguished guest, shared his success story in natural farming over the past 30 years.
During the technical session, Dr Ravi Shankar presented the role of science in promoting natural farming. Other speakers, including progressive farmers, also shared their experiences and success stories in natural agriculture.
The seminar also featured contributions from the Director General of the Fertiliser Association of India, Mr S.K. Choudhary, and other eminent participants, who shared their insights on advancing organic and natural farming practices.
The technical sessions primarily focused on the science behind natural farming, with presenters emphasising the need to integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches in order to contribute to the vision of a Developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.
Key topics discussed during the programme included soil health and bio-inputs, scientific techniques of natural farming, biodiversity-based pest management, the PGS-India certification system, and the marketing and value chain of organic products.
Alongside the seminar, a variety of exhibition stalls were set up showcasing innovations and practices related to organic and natural farming. These stalls included participation from bio-input resource centres, start-ups, farmer-producer organisations, and companies engaged in organic products.
The seminar aimed to provide a national platform for comprehensive discussions on sustainable agricultural practices, organic and natural farming techniques, market opportunities, and policy support.
Under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), various aspects of organic and natural farming were discussed, with a special focus on strengthening the value chain through innovation, quality enhancement, and market integration.
National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming
The National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming, formerly established as the National Centre of Organic Farming, functions as a leading institution in the country for the development, certification, and capacity building in organic and natural farming.
The Centre undertakes key activities, including the implementation of the PGS-India certification system, the quality testing of organic fertilisers, the training of farmers and agricultural personnel, and the dissemination of knowledge to promote sustainable agricultural practices nationwide.
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