VRF - Extension Activities

Extension Activities

Regular workshops and training programs are conducted to educate farmers and others on organic farming and related subjects. "Varanashi Organic Conference" is the mega event conducted once in a year. During this event "Varanashi Varshada Krishika" (Varanashi Farmer Of The Year) award is given to a deserving organic farmer every year and identified model farms around the village.

The scientific and technical staff are participating in several conferences, seminars, gatherings, exhibitions and farmers' meetings to disseminate the scientific information gathered.

Groups of farmers as well as individuals regularly visit the Foundation. Now and then, scientists from research stations also pay visit. The activities of the Foundation are being explained in detail during such visits. The visitors are also taken around the farms. The number of visitors per year are in the range of 2000-3000.

Overview

Board of Trustees

Research Advisory Committee

Infrastructure

Major research achievements

Project Work

Soil and Manure Analysis and Advisory Service

International Participation:

Dr. Varanashi Krishnamoorthy and Dr. Ashwini Krishnamoorthy presented paper titled "Varanashi Farms Towards Organic and Sustainable Agriculture" during IFOAM 2002 - World Organic Congress. They also visited Canada, USA, and Malaysia. During the tour they gave talks, visited organic farms and interacted with scientists and farmers.

In September 2004 Varanashi couple had been to South Korea to attend IFOAM Asia-2004 and ARNOA - two organic conferences. They presented three papers and received appreciation. They also visited Taiwan and Thailand to study organic farming.

In 2005, the varanashi couple visited Germany and exhibited organic products at "Bio Fach"

Dr. Varanashi and Dr. Ashwini .K. Moorthy participated and presented papers at IFOAM organic world congress during September 2005 at Adelaid, Australia.

In 2006 and 2007 regular visits are made to Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonasia to advise on organic cashew and Vanilla projects.