Bhubaneswar: Thirty-five Agriculture Officers from across Odisha attended a one-day refresher training programme on Natural Farming and Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) certification, aimed at strengthening the state’s efforts to promote sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
The programme was organised by the Regional Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (RCONF), Bhubaneswar, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in technical collaboration with ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA). The training was held at the ICAR-CIWA Conference Hall in Bhubaneswar.
The initiative focused on enhancing the technical knowledge of field officers on the National Mission on Natural Farming, farmer mobilisation, establishment of Bio-input Resource Centres (BRCs) and the low-cost certification process under the PGS system. It also sought to equip officials to guide farmers in adopting sustainable farming methods and transitioning to natural farming.
The programme was jointly inaugurated by Jagat Singh, Regional Director, RCONF, and Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA. Addressing the participants, they highlighted the role of natural farming in improving soil health, ensuring long-term agricultural sustainability and strengthening rural livelihoods. They also stressed the importance of certification and market recognition for natural farming produce, carbon credits and greater participation of women in agriculture.
Technical sessions covered key natural farming practices, soil health management, carbon sequestration and the progress of implementation in Odisha. Experts also discussed PGS-India certification procedures, value-chain development, marketing of natural products and the role of Bio-input Resource Centres in supporting farmers at the grassroots level.
The resource persons included Markande Pradhan, State Biochemist, Government of Odisha; Dr Dev Datta Shetty of AICRP, OUAT; Khyamanidhi Prusty, former Chief Scientific Officer and Quality Manager, OSOCA; and Subrat Kumar Sahoo of Kanak Bioscience and Research.
The officers also shared field experiences, local success stories and challenges encountered while promoting natural farming. Interactive sessions provided an opportunity to exchange practical knowledge and discuss ways to strengthen implementation at the field level.
Jagat Singh said the enhanced capacity of Agriculture Officers would help improve technical advisory services to farmers, streamline certification processes and accelerate the transition towards environmentally sustainable agriculture in Odisha.
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has initiated advance reservoir management measures across the State ahead of…
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Housing and Urban Development Department has intensified relief and restoration operations in…
Bhubaneswar: Telecom connectivity has been restored in 99 per cent of blocks in Ganjam district…
Bhubaneswar: With Cyclonic Storm ‘Murasu’ gaining strength over the Bay of Bengal, the IMD has…
Bhubaneswar: Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik has directed officials…
Bhubaneswar: Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department Shubha Sarma continued her field-level assessment of…
