National Webinar on “Natural Farming for Sustainable Production, Nutrition and Health” under Campaign “Annadata Devo Bhava” at ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar

A National Webinar on “Natural Farming for Sustainable Production, Nutrition and Health” under the ICAR Campaign “Annadata Devo Bhava” under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav was organized in hybrid mode by ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar on 23rd April, 2022. The event was attended by more than 80 participants comprising Scientists from ICAR, AICRP- WIA, SAU, Research Associate, Young professional and students. Two eminent speakers; Dr. N. Balasubramani, Director (CCA), MANAGE, Hyderabad and Dr. Trupti Mohanty, Director, College of Community Science OUAT, Bhubaneswar, delivered their talk on Natural Farming: Perspective in the Present Context and Strengthening Nutrition and Health of farm families through Intervention in Agriculture, respectively. The programme began with opening remarks of Director (In-Charge), Dr. Sabita Mishra, ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar in which she emphasised on the crucial link between natural farming and nutrition for farm women and children specifically. The convener of the webinar Dr. A.K. Panda elucidated on the need of natural farming and its scope in different scenarios.
Dr. N. Balasubramani gave a detailed account on the basic principles of the beejaamrit, jeevaamrit, aachadan and wapsa. He also discussed about role of farm women and women based SHG in different states taking lead as master trainers in prakritik kheti. Dr. Mohanty explained the schemes of Odisha govt. on Poshan vatika under Odisha livelihood mission being executed in 13 districts of the states involving farm women. The lectures were followed by discussion with participants and queries on different aspects of natural farming moderated by Dr. Praveen Jakhar Co-convener of the programme. At the end of the programme, Dr. L.P. Sahoo, Co-convener of the programme proposed vote of thanks.