The Two days training programme on oilseeds cultivation for the officers of Agriculture Department Jammu organized at Krishi Bhawan, Jammu by Joint Directorate of Agriculture (Extension) concluded here today. The training programme was conducted under National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP).Echoing the concerns of stagnating production and productivity levels of oilseeds in the state which were raised during the inaugural session yesterday by A. K. Malhotra, Director Agriculture Jammu, the speakers today focused on the ways and means to break the technology barriers and improve the quality and production levels as per the potential of high yielding varieties and hybrids. Judicious management of irrigation water and in-situ soil conservation measures were highlighted by the Director Agriculture in tune with mantra “PER DROP MORE CROP” besides integrated nutrient and pest management. The extension functionaries’ were advised to campaign with a group approach focusing on development of specific clusters as per the agri-eco feasibility.
During the training session the resource persons deliberated upon the importance of oilseeds in day today life and contribution of oilseeds in the economy and nutrition. Improved cultivation techniques were discussed to transmit techniques for obtaining higher yields of oilseed crops. It was revealed that various centrally sponsored schemes including NMOOP have been launched to provide a package of growth promoting interventions at farmer’s fields.
Joint Director of Agriculture (Extension) H. K. Razdan also highlighted the objectives of the training programme and conveyed important tips for cultivation of oilseed crops and also called upon the officers to learn the and take the impact points of production technology of oilseeds production for further dissemination to the farmers of their respective areas to uplift their economic status.Resource persons C. M. Sharma, Deputy Director of Agriculture (Central), Jammu, Dr A. K. Singh, Assistant Professor, SKUAST-J, Dr Vivek Shahi, Project Manager, AcTECH, Subash Chander Sharma, SDAO Dansal, Dr Vishal Raina, JAEO and S. Gurmeet Singh, VAEA deliberated upon various topics on oilseed cultivation, guidelines of NMOOP scheme, use of organic manure and vermi-compost making for organic clusters of oilseeds. O. P. Sharma and Ravi Raman Raina AEOs conducted the proceedings of the training programme. The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Subject Matter Specialist (RL) Surinder Misri.