Jammu, Apr 30: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Samba of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu organized Awareness programme cum Kissan Goshti on “Natural Farming” at KVK Samba on Sunday under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, the aegis of Directorate of Extension, SKUAST-J. More than 100 farmers/farm women actively participated in the programme.
Initially, the program was started by Dr. Sanjay Khajuria, Chief Scientist & Head, KVK Samba. He welcomed all the farmers and highlighted the importance of Natural farming in agriculture particularly in Samba district. He stressed upon the need to practice natural farming in order to ensure the conservation of soil health and make agriculture more profitable. He also assured the farmers that they will be trained in various aspects of natural farming, including preparation of inputs, enriching soil and value addition. He explained in detail to the farmers about the main purpose of organizing the awareness camp to sensitize farmers about the natural farming which is the present need of hour.
Sh. Pritam Chand Sarpanch Samlah and special guest of the programme appreciated the efforts of the KVK Samba in promoting the natural farming in the kandi belt of the district Samba. He stressed upon the need of adopting natural farming by the farmers, so as to judiciously utilize the natural resources, especially those of soil and water, plant diversity, vegetation cover, 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 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 has reduced farm drudgery to a greater extent.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Saurav Gupta, Scientist, Entomology briefed the importance of Natural Farming as it offers a solution to various problems, such as food insecurity, farmers’ distress, and health problems arising due to pesticide and fertilizer residue in food and water, global warming, climate change and natural calamities. He further added that Natural Farming aims to make farming viable and aspirational by increasing net incomes of farmers on account of cost reduction, reduced risks, similar yields, incomes from intercropping. He also discussed about different ways to control various insects –pests and diseases of Chickpea through Natural farming techniques.
Dr. Vijay Kumar Sharma Scientist (Animal Sciences) discussed the various welfare schemes of central and state governments in animal husbandry sector. He also discussed the role of organic waste produced from cattle and poultry. Dr. Shalini, Programme Assistant, KVK Samba emphasized the importance of soil in agricultural productivity. She stressed upon that farmers should use organic farming techniques to promote soil health. The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. Saurav Gupta. Others who participated in the programme include Bharat Bhushan, Tajinder Singh andPawan Singh.
