International  Conference  
on  
Natural  Farming  and  Farmers'  Knowledge

at  CCS  Haryana  Agricultural  University,  Hisar,  India 

March  14-16,  2006

Incorporating  Seminar  on  
'Transgenic  Plants: A  Challenge  to  Natural  Farming  and  Nature  Survival' 
on  March  14,  2006.

        
FIRST CIRCULAR       

Organic Agriculture Movement, sustained by the curious and exceptionally innovative farmers the world over, is playing a pivotal role in not merely sensitizing the humanity about ill effects of so called modern agriculture at global level but is silently opening up new frontiers of science and technology to address critical issues of health and ecology facing our planet. This international conference aims at bringing together contemporary practitioners of formal and informal agricultural science so as to help evolve economically and ecologically viable alternatives to chemical based intensive agriculture which are viable both.

In addition to showcasing the international excellence in the field of natural farming sector this truly global event brings together the leaders from agriculture, food and allied industry; international business houses, policy makers and consumer interest groups.

Major Themes:

1. Farmers' Knowledge in Crop Production, Animal Husbandry and Human Health

2. Modern Crop Production and Animal Husbandry Technologies

3. Impact of Modern Technology on Farmers' Knowledge and impact of Farmers' Knowledge on Modern Technology

4. International Trade, Market Development, Economics and Policy for Natural Farming

5. Agricultural Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights

6. Conservation of Genetic and Ecological Knowledge Resources

7. Religious and Ancient Systems of Knowledge and Philosophy in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

8. Food Safety, Health & Agriculture

9. Women in Agriculture

Concurrent Sessions on Certification and Organic Standards; Biodynamic Agriculture, Vedic Agriculture, Education & Training in Natural Farming; Renewable Farm Energy; Nutrition and Public Health; and Social Marketing will be organised.  

One can participate in the conference directly or as an online participant/sponsor/collaborator. For that purpose Preliminary Online Registration for The Conference is available or one can download the full application performa.

Abstract Submission Date (with processing fee^@ of Rs 500*/US$ 200**): 31 January, 2006 (Abstracts can be accepted even after 31 January, 2006 on request.)

Full Paper Submission Date: 15 February, 2006 (Papers can be accepted even after 15 February, 2006 on request, authors who wish not to publish their full paper may not submit it.)


Please Pay the Processing fee^@ in favour of 'Dr S K Kaura' (the honorary organising secretary of ICNFFK-2006) through bank cheque / postal money order/western union money transfer.

^@does not cover accommodation, food other charges at conference

*for Indian delegates; entitles the participant for Life Membership of 'Natural Farming Network' and free life membership to all of its internet based journals including 'Farm Reporter' (www.geocities.com/nf_net/farm_reporter) for two years and other free facilities and opportunities available to members of Natural Farming Network.

**for foreign delegates; entitles the participant for Life Membership of 'Natural Farming Network' and free life membership to all of its internet based journals including 'Farm Reporter' (www.geocities.com/nf_net/farm_reporter)

Participants who are Indian Residents should pay the fee through bank cheque or money order / or western union money transfer in favour of 'Dr S K Kaura' (the honorary organising secretary of ICNFFK-2006).

Participants who are not Indian Residents should Contact Us for advise on how to pay the processing fee for the conference.

For further information on how to pay or availing fee concession or travel grant or any other query Contact Us contact Dr S K Kaura, Conference Secretariat, 10-C Friends Colony, Hisar-125001, India. (Phone +91 1662 229163)

Abstract automatically qualify for publication in monthly e-Journal 'Farm Reporter' 

The abstracts/full papers can be submitted in  Text Format Online or formatted abstracts & full papers can be sent to International Coordinator, ICNFFK-2006, 10-C Friends Colony, Hisar-125001, India by Email/post/floppy. When sending by post also send digital version of your paper/contribution in floppy/compact disc.

Hisar, the host city of the conference, was once the capital of emperors like Firoze Shah, is just three hours drive from New Delhi. Hisar is also connected by rail with New Delhi & other major cities & metros of India.

People of Hisar have the privilege of having one medical college, one agricultural university of international repute, one technical university, national level institute on horses, national level institute on Buffalo. Hisar is also known as the hub of natural farming in north India and is a major export quality steel producer city of India.

Farmers can send their field experiments/observations in advance. Farmers would be encouraged to make presentations. A small farmer fair would be organised along with the Nature Expo on the conference site which would enable small farmers to exhibit natural farm products and their innovative farm practices.

Indigenous Seed Fair:

Farmers are encouraged to bring indigenous seeds for mutual exchange.

Students from universities, colleges and schools are encouraged to participate. They can contribute a small essay of about 500 words on the Importance of Natural Farming for Human Health / Importance of Natural Farming for Ecological Balance / Importance of Farmers' Knowledge for Success of Natural Farming / How the genetically engineered and tissue culture raised crops are threatening the survival of life on earth.

The best 200 students would be invited to the conference and other events and all the participants would be given honorary membership of Natural Farming Network, which entitles to various free facilities including the Free Online Courses Offered by the Open Farmer University, Open Yoga University and other sister organisations.

 Homepage of the Conference: http://www.geocities.com/nf_net/icnffk.html

Enquiries from National & International potential Sponsors, Collaborators, Associates, Media Associates, Volunteers, Donors are solicited

Organized by Natural Farming Network in association with National Indigenous Knowledge Exchange

Sponsored by: agriTel (International organization involved in research, communication, consultancy, education and training in natural farming and allied fields of agriculture and health)


natureCert (Certified and Safe Agriculture) - Cooperative Solutions for Organic Certification, Natural Farming Certification and Normal Farming Certification