Srinagar, Oct 05: Krishi Vigyan Kendra Ganderbal on Thursday organised an awareness-cum-training programme on ‘Safe Handling of Pesticides: A Safety Concern for Farmers’ at Kullan. This initiative is part of a series of programs focusing on skill development and entrepreneurship, conducted in collaboration with the Directorate of Planning and Monitoring, SKUAST-K, under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME), Government of India.
Dr Ishfaq Abidi, emphasising the need for promoting sustainable agriculture, discussed the critical aspects of proper pesticide storage, transportation, mixing, loading, and appropriate cleanup of equipment. He underscored the importance of comprehensive training for individuals dealing with pesticides to ensure safety. He reiterated KVK’s mission in empowering the youth and stakeholders of District Ganderbal through Skill Development Programs conducted in partnership with MSME and other line departments.
Dr Farooq Ahmad Ahangar, a scientist at KVK Ganderbal, provided a detailed overview of safe pesticide handling, focusing on protective clothing, equipment usage, storage practices, and proper disposal methods. He shared various safety precautions and tips that can minimize the negative impact while handling pesticides.
Dr Showkat Ahmad Dar highlighted the indiscriminate use of pesticides in the UT, leading to a rise in neurological diseases and cancers. He emphasised the degradation of the environment, especially water bodies, and stressed the importance of Integrated Pest Management and organic agriculture.
The programme saw active participation from students and staff of Higher Secondary School Kulan, local body representatives, pesticide/fungicide dealers, and farmers from the district. The session concluded with an interactive feedback session where participants expressed their satisfaction with the programme.
