SHIMLA: Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Goa’s premier institution Sharada Higher Secondary School of Arts, Commerce and Agriculture (SHSS), Bhandale. Under the tie-up, the university will provide handholding to SHSS for capacity building of local youth through the promotion and adoption of low-cost climate-resilient natural farming to earn sustainable livelihood in agriculture and horticulture.
The MoU was signed recently in Goa during a two-day workshop on Natural farming which was chaired by Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh and Chancellor of the University Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel was also present during the MoU signing ceremony. Professor Chandel and Dr. Narender Bharat, HOD Seed Science and Technology also visited the SHSS campus and other nearby areas and interacted with the faculty and staff. The team also interacted with farmers practicing organic farming to explore their smooth shift into natural farming.
“The objective of this partnership is to provide a framework by which the two institutions will undertake joint activities together. We will work towards the creation of knowledge resource centres through the development of natural farming models by students. For skill upgradation of students, the university will support the school in adopting its certificate course curriculum and integrating traditional knowledge base for upscaling natural farming practices for the enhanced productivity and conservation of natural resources,” said Prof. Chandel.
He added that the MoU will be a platform to showcase our strengths and achievements in agriculture-horticulture, especially the success in natural farming in Himachal and share this knowledge with other communities. Professor Chandel said that students will be encouraged to become entrepreneurs in agriculture and horticulture, especially through the adoption of Natural Farming and create model farms on this farming technique to serve the purpose of a knowledge incubator. The tie-up will also study and explore local markets and help in the creation of brands at the local level.
Under the tie-up, the two institutions will exchange experience and scientific/traditional knowledge for the interest, mutual progress and service to society. Besides, there will also be a provision for providing study material for the classroom demonstration of natural farming and exposure visit of the students to witness the Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) success stories in Himachal Pradesh.