Umiam: A three-day National Conference on “Natural Farming: Pathways to Self-reliant Farming and Rural Prosperity” (NCNF 2026) began on Wednesday at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGSAS), Central Agricultural University (CAU), Umiam, in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district.

The inaugural session was attended by Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya as the chief guest, along with NITI Aayog Member Dr Joram Aniya, vice-chancellors of several agricultural universities, agricultural experts, policymakers, farmers and representatives of farming organisations.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Acharya stressed the importance of reviving India’s traditional agricultural knowledge and reducing farmers’ dependence on external inputs. Citing Sikkim’s experience in organic farming, he said the biodiversity-rich Northeast has strong potential to emerge as a major hub for natural farming.

He also called for stronger value chains covering production, processing, packaging, branding and marketing to improve farmers’ incomes. He said scientific research and indigenous knowledge must work together to make natural farming a people’s movement.

Dr Joram Aniya stressed the link between healthy soil, safe food and human well-being. She urged students and researchers to apply scientific knowledge to agriculture and reduce excessive dependence on chemical inputs.

Other speakers highlighted the need for scientific research, region-specific farming practices, natural farming education and better market linkages. They also stressed the Northeast’s potential for natural and organic farming due to its biodiversity, water resources and agro-diversity.

During the inaugural programme, Governor Acharya released several publications on natural farming, including the Abstract Compendium, Poster Book and Media Chronicle.

The conference is being held under the patronage of CAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Anupam Mishra and the guidance of Prof Dwipendra Thakuria, Dean, CPGSAS and Organising Secretary of NCNF 2026.

Around 500 participants are attending the three-day conference, which includes keynote lectures, technical sessions, oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, stakeholder consultations, exhibitions and interactions among farmers, practitioners, traders, researchers and industry representatives.

The conference is being organised in collaboration with ICAR, DST-NECTAR, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University and Gujarat Natural Farming Science University.