Nauni: Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nuts Cultivation Company (NCC) in Georgia to promote agroecological and natural farming practices. Currently, NCC has been managing over 1,000 hectares of almond and hazelnut orchards and working closely with small farmers through the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Vocational Education Training (VET) initiative.
This association is set to introduce sustainable techniques using locally available resources for plant nutrition and pest control. A delegation from UHF, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, is in Georgia to finalise the collaboration. Members of the delegation went to see NCC’s orchards in eastern Georgia to witness how to do natural farming scientifically.
Prof. Chandel explained that UHF Nauni has vast experience in agroecology and its role in the European Union-supported ACROPICS consortium, which focuses on reducing pesticide use through innovative farming techniques. The university is also a key player in India’s National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).
As per the contract, UHF is set to arrange training on sustainable farming practices, specifically for almond and hazelnut orchards. This partnership is likely to benefit both by sharing academic knowledge and practical experience, and it will ultimately boost eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture in India.
