Shillong, Nov 03: The Regional Centre for Organic and Natural Farming (RCONF), Imphal, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India in collaboration with the Bio-Resources Development Centre, Shillong, organised a two-day training programme on “Capacity Building for Bio-Input Resource Centre (BRC) Entrepreneurs” on 3 rd November 2026 at the Conference Hall of the Bio-Resources Development Centre (BRDC), Shillong, Meghalaya.
Smt. Tina Merry R. Marak, Director, Meghalaya Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (MAMETI), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and delivered the inaugural address.
She highlighted the importance of natural farming in promoting sustainable agriculture and emphasised the significant role of Bio- Input Resource Centres in ensuring the availability of quality bio-inputs to farmers.
She also stressed the need to strengthen the technical and entrepreneurial capabilities of BRC operators for promoting natural farming practices across the region.
Dr. V. Y. Deoghare, Regional Director I/C, RCONF Imphal, joined the inaugural ceremony through online mode and addressed the participants. He highlighted the importance of capacity building and the effective functioning of BRCs in strengthening the bio-input supply chain and supporting the implementation of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF).
Dr. Sophie P. Majaw, Junior Scientist, BRDC, Shillong, delivered the welcome address, while Sh. Kishor R Shedge, Assistant Director, RCONF Imphal, presented a brief overview of the training programme.
He highlighted the objectives of the programme and its importance in developing technically competent BRC entrepreneurs capable of producing and supplying quality bio-inputs at the local level, Sh. Ravi Kumar Suryavanci from NCONF Ghaziabad eas also present during the 2-Days programme.
Shri Thomas Iangjuh, Junior Scientist, BRDC, also delivered a brief address on behalf of BRDC, highlighting the Centre’s commitment to strengthening and promoting the organic certification programme across the state.
The vote of Thanks was given by Smti. Elisha Jala, Quality Manager, BRDC-Regional Council, PGS -India. The two-day training programme is designed to provide comprehensive technical knowledge and practical understanding of various aspects of natural farming and bio-input production.
The major topics to be covered include the principles, need and benefits of natural farming; its integrated approach; introduction to bio-inputs and Bio-Input Resource Centres; operational and scheme guidelines for BRCs.
The programme will also focus on strengthening the entrepreneurial skills of BRC operators, promoting local-level production of bio-inputs, quality management and the effective delivery of bio- inputs to farmers.
Technical experts and resource persons from RCONF Imphal, BRDC Shillong, State Biological Control Laboratory and ICAR, Umiam are facilitating the training sessions and the programme is expected to enhance the technical competencies of BRC entrepreneurs and contribute towards establishing a robust, decentralised bio-input production and distribution network in the State, thereby supporting the wider adoption of natural farming and sustainable agricultural practices.
