School of Agriculture (SOA), Uttaranchal University organized a Ten Days Faculty Development Programme on the topic ‘Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Innovations and Best Practices for Promoting Sustainable Agriculture’ from 6th June 2023 to 15th June 2023. Prof. (Dr.) Satbir Sehgal, Vice President, Uttaranchal University accompanied Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Bahuguna, Pro Vice-chancellor, Uttaranchal University for the inauguration of the session. By tax lotus of Hon’ble Vice President and Pro Vice-chancellor the lamp lighting was carried. Later after playing of University Anthem Prof. (Dr.) M.P. Singh, Dean, SOA welcomed the dignitaries. There was an address by Guest of Honour Prof. (Dr.) Satya Prakash, HoD College of Horticulture SVPUA & T, Meerut. Proceeding was carried ahead with the address of Hon’ble Pro Vice-chancellor, Uttaranchal University. He appreciated the effort and theme of FDP. Later Hon’ble Vice President, Uttaranchal University gave blessings to all the attendees and persuaded to organize such events more in future. Session took a halt of tea break which was resumed with the lecture by Dr. Vinay Kumar, Managing Director, Uttarakhand Organic Commodity Board, Dehradun, Uttarakhand on “Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF)/Organic Farming: Successful Stories in Uttarakhand”. Day 2, there was a lecture by Prof. (Dr.) Mahipal Singh Dean, SOA held on ‘Conservation of Soil Health by Practicing Organic Farming’ delivered. He quoted, “Organic farming is recognized as an alternative for intensive agriculture to face environmental challenges. As per the definition of FAO Organic agriculture is a unique production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity, and this is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm inputs.” After lunch break the day resumed with the lecture by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, HoD SOA on ‘Government Policies on Zero Budget Natural Farming’. The day was concluded by Mr. Jayanti Ballabh, Assistant Professor SOA. On 8th June 2023 a lecture by Prof. (Dr.) A.K Sharma, Professor Horticulture GBPUA & T, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand on “Economic Viabilities and Market Linkages of Organic Produces in Uttarakhand” was scheduled. Later post-lunch lecture was delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Singh, Director DRI, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun on ‘Technological Interventions used in Zero Budget Natural Farming’. After the lecture Dr. Anita Gehlot, DRI delivered her speech on ‘Innovation in Technology that can improve the Effectiveness of the Agriculture Industry’. Varied sessions were organized as per schedule. On 13th June 2023 there was a lecture delivered by Prof. (Dr.) Satya Prakash, HoD College of Horticulture, SVPUA&T on ‘Recent Techniques of Organic Farming Used for Growing Vegetables and Fruits in India’. All the sessions were carried lucratively.
