Governor Shri Acharya inaugurates National Conference on Natural Farming
Northeast has the potential to emerge as a model for sustainable and natural farming: Governor
Make Natural Farming a pathway to rural prosperity and self-reliance: Governor
Guwahati,Rongili Barta: Assam Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya today called for sustained, coordinated and collective efforts by farmers, scientists, agricultural institutions, entrepreneurs, policymakers and governments to make Natural Farming economically viable and transform it into a broad-based people’s movement.
Inaugurating the three-day National Conference on ‘Natural Farming: Pathways to Self-Reliant Farming and Rural Prosperity (NCNF 2026)’ at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Umiam, Meghalaya, the Governor said that Natural Farming must evolve beyond an agricultural practice into a sustainable and economically viable model of agriculture capable of strengthening rural livelihoods and fostering self-reliance.
Shri Acharya observed that Natural Farming is deeply rooted in India’s civilisational and agricultural traditions and has assumed renewed significance in the context of sustainable development. He underscored the need to promote farming practices that conserve soil health, water resources and biodiversity, while ensuring long-term productivity and resilience. He stressed that traditional agricultural wisdom must be strengthened and enriched through modern science, research and innovation.
Highlighting the immense agricultural potential of the Northeast, the Governor said that the region, with its rich biodiversity, abundant natural resources and diverse agro-climatic conditions, is uniquely placed to emerge as a model for sustainable and natural farming. He pointed to the growing national and international recognition of the region’s distinctive agricultural products through Geographical Indication (GI) tags, including Assam’s Joha Rice, Boka Rice, Kaji Nemu and Karbi Anglong Ginger, as well as several other unique products from across the Northeastern States.
Calling for the region’s traditional and natural products to be taken “from Local to Global”, Shri Acharya reiterated on the need to develop a robust and integrated value chain encompassing production, processing, value addition, packaging, certification, branding and access to national and international markets. Such an ecosystem, he said, would enable farmers to secure better returns, generate rural employment and strengthen the economic self-reliance of farming communities.
The Governor also stressed on the importance of bridging the gap between “Lab and Land”. He said scientific research and technological innovations must reach farmers in a practical and accessible manner, while the knowledge, experience and innovations developed by farmers in the field should inform and enrich agricultural research. He called for closer collaboration among agricultural universities, research institutions, extension agencies and farming communities to ensure that scientific advancements translate into taungible benefits on the ground.
Underlining the importance of engaging the younger generation in agriculture, Shri Acharya called for greater adoption of agri-tech, digital agriculture, drones, smart irrigation, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and agro-based enterprises. He said the integration of technology, entrepreneurship and agriculture can create new avenues of employment and enterprise for rural youth and make farming more attractive, productive and future-oriented.
Referring to the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Governor said that empowered farmers, prosperous rural communities and protected natural resources constitute essential foundations of a developed and self-reliant India. He called upon all stakeholders to work together to build an agricultural ecosystem that is economically rewarding for farmers, ecologically sustainable and socially inclusive.
Shri Acharya expressed confidence that the deliberations and exchange of knowledge at the conference would contribute to strengthening Natural Farming practices and developing practical pathways towards self-reliant agriculture, rural prosperity and sustainable development, particularly in the Northeastern region.
The conference, organised by Central Agricultural University, Imphal, was attended by NITI Aayog Member Dr. Joram Aniya; Vice-Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Dr. Anupam Mishra; Vice-Chancellor, Assam Agricultural University, Dr. Dipjyoti Rajkhowa; All India Executive Member of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Bhagia Wadla; Vice-Chancellor, Rani Lakshmibai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Dr. A.K. Singh; All India Organising Secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Dinesh Kulkarni; Vice chancellor Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Dr. P.S. Pandey; Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat Natural Farming Science University, Prof. C.K. Timbadia; senior scientists of ICAR; agricultural experts and other distinguished guests.