Shillong, Septemberh 7: More than 400 participants from 21 states and 51 agricultural institutions will take part in the National Conference on “Natural Farming: Pathways to Self-reliant Farming and Rural Prosperity (NCNF 2026)” to be held at Umiam from September 9 to 11.
The three-day conference will be organised by Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGSAS), Umiam, Meghalaya.
Addressing a press conference at the Shillong Press Club on Monday, Prof. Dwipendra Thakuria, Dean of CPGSAS, Umiam and organiser of NCNF 2026, said the conference will focus on strengthening sustainable farming systems and rural prosperity, with particular emphasis on the challenges and opportunities in the Northeast.
The conference will include 95 natural farming practitioners who will share their experiences and farming practices. Organisers said the wide participation reflects growing national interest in natural farming and its potential to improve farm resilience, farmers’ incomes and rural livelihoods.
Prof. Thakuria said natural farming needs to be mainstreamed in a systematic and economically viable manner through scientific validation, suitable certification systems, education and capacity building of farmers.
He said the conference has been designed around six key concerns affecting agriculture — climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, farm income, food and nutrition, and the environment.
According to him, erratic climatic events, deterioration of soil health due to excessive dependence on synthetic inputs and continuing biodiversity loss pose major challenges to sustainable agriculture.
NCNF 2026 will deliberate on six major themes — Revitalising Farms; Eco-friendly Plant Protection; Genetic Resources and Seeds; Symbiotic Farming; Nutrition and Environment; and Governance and Production.
The sessions will focus on restoration of soil and farm fertility, sustainable methods of plant protection, farmer independence in seeds and genetic resources, and integrated farming systems involving crops, livestock, horticulture, agroforestry and fisheries.
Discussions will also cover nutritional security, environmental sustainability and policy measures for promoting natural farming, particularly in the Northeastern region.
The conference will feature 26 technical and knowledge-sharing sessions, presentations on evidence-based farming practices and videos highlighting farmers’ experiences. A field visit to a practising natural farmer has also been planned.
The discussions and field experiences are expected to form the basis of recommendations and outcomes to be compiled at the conclusion of the conference.
Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya will attend the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, while Madhya Pradesh Minister for Social Justice and Horticulture Narayan Singh Kushwah will be the Guest of Honour.
Meghalaya Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Timothy D. Shira will also attend the inaugural programme.
Vice Chancellors of agricultural universities, representatives of farmers’ organisations, senior public representatives and other stakeholders are also expected to participate. The inaugural programme will be held under the presidency of Central Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Dr Anupam Mishra.
The conference is being organised in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi; DST–North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach, Shillong; Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi; Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa; and Gujarat Natural Farming Science University.
NCNF 2026 will be held under the motto “One Farm, One Ecosystem, One Health”, highlighting an integrated approach in which crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture and other farm components function together as part of a common ecosystem to promote the health of soil, plants, animals and people.
