Experts call for natural farming at KVK seminar

Samba, Nov 30: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Samba of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu organised an awareness programme on natural farming at village Harsath of district Samba under the leadership of Professor J P Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu and the supervision of Dr Sanjay Khajuria, Chief scientist & Head, KVK Samba. More than 55 farmers actively participated in the programme.
On the occasion, the quality seed of chickpea was promoted and distributed among the farmers under natural farming.
Dr Sanjay Khajuria highlighted the importance of natural farming in agriculture, particularly in the Samba district, saying it ensures the conservation of soil health and makes agriculture more profitable. He assured the farmers that they will be trained in various aspects of natural farming, including preparation of inputs, enriching soil and value addition.
Dr Neerja Sharma, senior scientist in horticulture department, discussed in detail the natural resources, especially those of soil and water, plant diversity, vegetation cover, and renewable energy sources. Dr Abhay Kumar Sinha, Senior Scientist Agricultural Engineering, described that farm mechanization has proved a game changer in the field of agriculture under which the introduction of farm machinery like tractors, tillers, farm machinery banks, custom hiring centers, manual weeders, irrigation pump sets, brush cutters, innovative farm tools to the farmers have reduced farm drudgery to a greater extent.
Dr Saurav Gupta, Scientist, Entomology, said natural farming offers a solution to various problems such as food insecurity, farmers’ distress, and health problems arising due to pesticide and fertiliser residue in food and water, global warming, climate change and natural calamities.
Dr Vijay Kumar Sharma Scientist (Animal Sciences) highlighted various welfare schemes of the Central and State governments in the animal husbandry sector. He discussed the role of organic waste produced from cattle and poultry. Dr Shalini, Programme Assistant, KVK Samba emphasised the importance of soil in agricultural productivity. She said farmers should use organic farming techniques to promote soil health.