- 25 Feb 2008 To 29 Feb 2008
Venue : Amity University Campus, Sector-125, Noida
One-week Training Program for Agricultural and Horticulture Officers from different States on Organic Farming commenced on 25 February and will sum up to 29 February 2008 at the Seminar Hall, A-Block, AUUP Campus, Sector – 125, Noida. The training program was inaugurated by Prof CPS Yadav, Director General, Uttar Pradesh Council of Agriculture Research [UPCAR] Lucknow.
Dr J N Kaul, Deputy Director, Amity Institute of Organic Agriculture welcomed the delegates and other dignitaries and gave brief introduction about the role played by this Institute in popularizing the organic farming among the farmers, the extension workers and the other stake holder.
Dr Sunil Saran, Vice Chairman, Amity Science Technology & Innovation Foundation and Scientific Adviser to Founder President, AKC Group of Companies also address the gathering and he emphasised the need of food & nutrition security for the nation on a sustainable basis.
Shri K S Bains, Director General, AIOA, Amity in his address emphasized that at present Agriculture contribute 20% in India’s G D P and 60% work force are engaged in Agriculture. Therefore, to ensure food security in the country the Organic Farming has to be given due importance. He also expressed his concern about high cost of certification and its complicated process and deliberated on few workable options.
Prof CPS Yadav in his inaugural address emphasized the need of Organic Farming for safe, hygienic and quality food. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has not only effected the soil fertility but with the use of high yielding variety of seeds requiring high doses of inputs and being highly susceptible to diseases has been detrimental for the important soil microbes. He stressed on sustainable agriculture through Organic Farming keeping in view the ecological principles. He further suggested that Amity should adopt a few villages through cluster approach to popularize Organic Farming among the farmers and develop villages as a Organic Villages to act as Model for others. He expressed his happiness about the role played by the Amity University in popularizing the Organic Farming among the farmers and capacity building of district level Agricultural/Extension Officers by organizing such type of training programs for them.
The inaugural session was ended with a vote of thanks given by Dr P K Gupta Project Coordinator, National Project on Organic Farming, Deptt of Agriculture & cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture , Government of India