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A target has been set to implement natural farming across 4,250 acres in 34 cluster villages of Mandya district. In this regard, Zilla Panchayat CEO K.R. Nandini has urged Krishi Sakhis (women farm facilitators) to actively participate in achieving this goal and serve as the backbone of the natural farming campaign in the district. She participated in the valedictory session of a five-day training programme on natural farming organised by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), VC Farm, for Krishi Sakhis on Tuesday. Ms. Nandini said that under natural farming practices, it is possible to produce high-quality crops rather than just higher yields, and Krishi Sakhis must motivate farmers in this direction. Under the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), five cluster villages along major riverbanks and 29 clusters in gram panchayats that use excessive chemical inputs have been identified, making a total of 34 cluster villages. Two Krishi Sakhis have been appointed for each cluster, bringing the total to 68 Krishi Sakhis. Each cluster will include 125 beneficiaries, making a total 4,250 of the same under the programme. Each beneficiary adopting natural farming practices will receive a maximum incentive of ₹4,000, Ms. Nandini added. Ms. Nandini emphasised that farmers can fetch better prices by processing and value-adding their produce, and urged Krishi Sakhis to create awareness about the same among farmers. During the event, the CEO distributed certificates to the Krishi Sakhis who completed the training. Ms. Nandini observed that in recent times, many participants did not make effective use of the training provided. “Often, trainings are attended just for formality. Hence, I attended both the inaugural and valedictory sessions personally and participated in the sessions for over two hours. I interacted with the trainees, asked questions related to the training, and honoured the three best Krishi Sakhis,” she said. Those who could not answer the questions properly were given a one-month period to study the training manual again and update their understanding, she added. The CEO stressed that “not even a single rupee spent on training should go to waste”, and urged the Krishi Sakhis to make the best use of the training and work sincerely towards the success of the project. Later, Ms. Nandini visited a demonstration plot developed under the NMNF at the UAS, VC Farm, where sugarcane was intercropped with vegetables such as okra, cluster beans, soybean, black gram, groundnut, and leafy greens. During her visit, the CEO observed the various intercrops grown alongside sugarcane and suggested that farmers should avoid monocropping. Instead, they should adopt intercropping to improve soil health and generate additional income, she added. UAS Special Officer K.M. Harini Kumar spoke on achieving higher yields at the event. Ms. Nandini discussed several topics with the Krishi Sakhis and farmers including reduction of chemical inputs, changes in irrigation practices, multi-cropping, intercropping, and organic farming. Efforts are on to bring crops grown under natural farming practices under group certification through the NMNF, which will help farmers obtain better market value for their produce, she said. Joint Director of Agriculture Ashok, Assistant Director of Agriculture Harsha, and others were present.
