Umiam, August 18: The Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, is organizing the National Conference on “Natural Farming: Pathways to Self-reliant Farming and Rural Prosperity (NCNF 2026)” from 9th to 11th September, 2026 at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGSAS), Umiam, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya. The conference is being held under the patronage of Dr. Anupam Mishra, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, CAU, Imphal, and the guidance of Prof. Dwipendra Thakuria, Dean, CPGSAS and Organizing Secretary, NCNF 2026, with participation from leading agricultural institutions, researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, extension professionals, students, and farmers from across the country.
NCNF 2026 is being organized in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, DST–North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), Shillong, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa and Gujarat Natural Farming Science University, Gujarat.
Natural farming has emerged as a sustainable solution to address contemporary challenges such as climate change, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution, and declining farm profitability. The conference aims to provide a national platform for sharing scientific research, field experiences, policy perspectives, technological innovations, and successful practices that can accelerate the adoption of natural farming and contribute to sustainable agriculture and rural prosperity.
The three-day conference will feature keynote lectures, technical sessions, oral and poster presentations, panel discussions, interactions between natural farming practitioners and traders/exporters, stakeholder consultations, and exhibitions showcasing natural farming initiatives and farm-based enterprises. The event will also facilitate interactions among faculty members and students from Central Agricultural Universities and State Agricultural Universities to discuss perspectives on undergraduate and postgraduate education in natural farming.
Discussions will focus on six major thematic areas: Sustainable Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience; Eco-friendly Plant Protection and One Health Solutions; Genetic Resources and Seed Systems; Integrated Farming Systems; Food, Nutritional and Environmental Security; and Governance, Policy Frameworks and Value Chain Development.
According to Prof. Dwipendra Thakuria, Dean, CPGSAS and Organizing Secretary, NCNF 2026, the conference seeks to foster collaboration among researchers, policymakers, development agencies, agribusiness professionals, start-ups, and farming communities to scale up natural farming through scientific, technological, and institutional innovations.
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The conference welcomes participation from scientists, academicians, extension professionals, government officials, NGOs, industry representatives, agripreneurs, postgraduate and doctoral students, progressive farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), certifying agencies, and other stakeholders. Approximately 400–450 participants are expected to attend the conference, including natural farming practitioners, farmers, policymakers, certification agencies, researchers, and industry representatives.
Abstract submissions and registrations are open through the conference website. The last date for abstract submission and registration is 25th August 2026, while the conference will be held from 9th to 11th September, 2026.
The conference will also recognize excellence in natural farming through awards including Best Master’s Thesis Award, Best Doctoral Thesis Award, Best Researcher Award, Best Extension Award, Best Natural Farming Practitioner Award, Best Research Paper (Oral) Award, and Best Research Paper (Poster) Award.
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Researchers, practitioners, institutions, start-ups, and stakeholders working in the field of natural farming and sustainable agriculture are encouraged to participate and contribute towards building resilient, self-reliant, and environmentally sustainable farming systems.
