**Executive Summary**
The National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF) organized a two-day National Seminar-cum-Exhibition on March 24–25, 2026, to promote sustainable agricultural practices across India. The event focused on integrating traditional knowledge with modern science to enhance soil health and reduce cultivation costs, supporting the vision of "Viksit Bharat" by 2047. Key outcomes included strategies for market integration, quality testing of organic fertilizers, and strengthening the value chain under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Objectives and Strategic Vision**
* Promote organic and natural farming nationwide through extensive deliberations on sustainable techniques and policy support.
* Integrate traditional agricultural knowledge with modern scientific approaches to achieve the goal of a Developed India by 2047.
* Maintain soil fertility and protect the environment by emphasizing the use of natural resources.
* **Technical Discussions and Innovations**
* Exploration of biodiversity-based pest management and scientific techniques specific to natural farming.
* Discussion on the role of organic agriculture in specialized sectors, such as fisheries.
* Showcasing of innovations through exhibition stalls featuring bio-input resource centres, start-ups, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
* **Certification and Quality Control**
* Emphasis on the implementation and importance of the PGS-India certification system for organic products.
* Focus on the quality testing of organic fertilizers to ensure standard compliance.
* **Market and Value Chain Development**
* Strengthening the organic product value chain through innovation and quality enhancement.
* Improving market integration and identifying new market opportunities for farmers and organic companies.
* **Institutional Functions of NCONF**
* Acting as a leading institution for the development, certification, and capacity building in organic and natural farming.
* Providing training to farmers and agricultural personnel while disseminating knowledge to promote sustainable practices.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** They benefit from reduced cultivation costs, improved soil health management, and access to proven success stories and scientific techniques.
* **Action Required:** Transition toward natural and organic farming techniques and participate in NCONF training programs.
**Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Start-ups**
* **Impact:** These entities receive a national platform to showcase innovations and are integrated into a strengthened value chain.
* **Action Required:** Focus on innovation and quality enhancement of organic products to meet market standards and certification requirements.
**Scientists and Agricultural Officers**
* **Impact:** They are tasked with bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern science to support national agricultural goals.
* **Action Required:** Collaborate on disseminating knowledge, conducting technical sessions, and overseeing the implementation of the PGS-India certification system.
**Bio-input Manufacturers and Companies**
* **Impact:** Increased focus on the production and quality testing of bio-inputs and organic fertilizers.
* **Action Required:** Ensure products adhere to quality testing standards and support the dissemination of sustainable bio-input solutions.
Key Entities Referenced
National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF): A leading institution under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare responsible for the development, certification, and capacity building in organic and natural farming.
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF): A national initiative focused on promoting natural farming practices and strengthening the value chain through innovation and market integration.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The primary government department overseeing the promotion of sustainable agriculture and the implementation of organic farming initiatives.
PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System for India): A decentralized certification system implemented to ensure the quality of organic products and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming
organises two-day National Seminar-cum-
Exhibition to promote organic and natural
farming
Seminar witnesses extensive deliberations on sustainable
agriculture, organic techniques, market opportunities, and
policy support
Posted On: 25 MAR 2026 4:52PM by PIB Delhi
The National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (NCONF), Ghaziabad, under the Ministry of
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, organised a two-day National Seminar-cum-Exhibition on March 24–
25, 2026, with the objective of promoting organic and natural farming across the country. The programme
saw participation from scientists, policymakers, agricultural officers, farmer producer organisations
(FPOs), bio-input manufacturers, progressive farmers, and students.
The two-day seminar was inaugurated by Dr. S.K. Choudhary, Director General of the Fertiliser
Association of India, in New Delhi. He emphasised the importance of natural resources in promoting
natural and organic farming to maintain soil fertility, protect the environment, and reduce the cost of
cultivation. Among the distinguished guests, Dr. J.K. Jena, Director General of the Department of
Fisheries, discussed the role of organic agriculture in fisheries, while Dr. Velu Murugan highlighted the
significance of natural resources in soil health management. Padma Shri awardee Nek Ram Sharma,
another distinguished guest, shared his success story in the field of natural farming over the past 30 years.During the technical session, Dr. Ravi Shankar presented the role of science in promoting natural farming.
Other speakers, including progressive farmers, also shared their experiences and success stories in the
field of natural agriculture. The seminar also featured contributions from the Director General of the
Fertiliser Association of India, Shri S.K. Choudhary, and other eminent participants, who shared their
insights on advancing organic and natural farming practices.
The technical sessions primarily focused on the science behind natural farming, with presenters
emphasising the need to integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches in order to
contribute to the vision of a Developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.Key topics discussed during the programme included soil health and bio-inputs, scientific techniques of
natural farming, biodiversity-based pest management, the PGS-India certification system, and the
marketing and value chain of organic products. Alongside the seminar, a variety of exhibition stalls were
set up showcasing innovations and practices related to organic and natural farming. These stalls included
participation from bio-input resource centres, start-ups, farmer producer organisations, and companies
engaged in organic products.
The seminar aimed to provide a national platform for comprehensive discussions on sustainable
agricultural practices, techniques of organic and natural farming, market opportunities, and policy support.
Under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), various aspects of organic and natural farming
were discussed, with a special focus on strengthening the value chain through innovation, quality
enhancement, and market integration.
National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming
The National Centre for Organic and Natural Farming, formerly established as the National Centre of
Organic Farming, functions as a leading institution in the country for the development, certification, and
capacity building in organic and natural farming. The Centre undertakes key activities such as
implementation of the PGS-India certification system, quality testing of organic fertilisers, training of
farmers and agricultural personnel, and dissemination of knowledge to promote sustainable agricultural
practices nationwide.
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