On day 2 of ongoing Krishak Mela being organized by SKUAST Jammu, a technical session on Diversification in Agriculture was organized under the Chairmanship of Prof. J. P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor to highlight the importance of diversification in agriculture.
Agripreneurs and farmers share their experiences during the session. Rajinder Kumar from Doda delivered a lecture on the success story of his experience on marigold cultivation. K. D. Sharma from Samba told about his experiences on diversification in agriculture.
He started with only maize, wheat and sugarcane and after coming in contact with KVK started organic farming and diversified agriculture by growing vegetables like tomato, cauliflower etc. and also keeping cows.
Jyoti Gambhir discussed family support and knowledge for success in life. She shared the experience of starting a cookie business keeping the idea of health with taste and avoiding the use of preservatives. Sat Paul Chaudhary acknowledged the help received from KVK and Department of Agriculture when he moved from Chhamb to Kathua.
Major Man Mohan Singh discussed the success story of kinnow cultivation and how his idea of dense cultivation in pear was adopted by PAU, Ludhiana.Dr. J. P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor and chairman, in his address, advised farmers and scientists to think about new ideas and work hard to achieve and fulfill them.
He also proposed to start a training programme through KVKs on value added products, packaging, branding and marketing. Prof. Sharma stressed upon diversification to capitalize it and help in increasing farmer’s income.
An impressive Fruit/Flower/Vegetable show was also organized at SKUAST-Jammu on 17 & 18 November, 2022 during ongoing five days Krishak Mela.The show was inaugurated by Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu.
He emphasized that the diversity of horticultural crops of the Jammu region should be exploited to develop improved varieties. He also stressed that pecan nut cultivation needs to be promoted which can go a long way in doubling farmers’ income.
He appreciated the displayed samples in the show and said that training on different aspects such as value addition of fruits and vegetables, flower arrangement, and nursery management should be organized.In fruits, more than 150 entries comprising Passion Fruit, Dragon Fruit, Custard Apple, Citrus, Walnut, Pecannut and Amlook etc. were displayed.
In vegetables, 75 entries comprising Cole crops, Root vegetables, Leafy vegetables, Bulb crops, Solanaceous vegetables, Spices and other vegetables were received. The flower show also got overwhelming response in which eight categories viz., Floral Rangoli, Foliage Pot Plants, Cacti and Succulents, Flowering Pot Plants, Flower Arrangement, Bonsai, Dry Flowers and Cut flowers were there.
The value added products were also displayed during the show. The displayed entries were judged by Dr. K.K. Pramanick, Head, Regional Station, IARI, Shimla and Dr. Amit Kumar Goswami, Senior Scientist, IARI, New Delhi.
The Department of Horticulture and Agriculture, UT of Jammu and Kashmir and IIIM also displayed their products. The show was convened by Dr. R. K, Pandey, Professor, Division of Floriculture & Landscaping, Dr. Sandeep Chopra, Professor, Division of Vegetable Science, and Dr. Amit Jasrotia, Professor, Division of Fruit Science.
Earlier, A session on production and value addition of millets and mushroom cultivation was held under the chairmanship of Dr. B C. Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture. At the onset, Dr. Sushil Sharma, Dean Faculty of Agriculture Engineering and convener of the session emphasized upon the importance of conducting a session on this important topic so as to create awareness among masses regarding the employment and entrepreneurship avenues in regard to these crops.
During the session, Prof. Sachin Gupta discussed the prospectus of round the year cultivation of mushroom in Jammu Division. Prof. Moni Gupta delivered a talk on medicinal value of mushrooms and emphasized upon the beneficial use of bioactive compounds in mushrooms.
Dr. Subash Kashyap in his address discussed the status, importance and scope of major and minor millets specially in reference to celebration of 2023 as UN year of Millets.Prof. Julie Dogra discussed the preparation of value-added products of millets and their role in providing nutritional security to the world population.
Besides, a Kisan Ghoshthi was also organised to facilitate on the spot solutions for the problems of farmers, under the Chairmanship of Dr. S. K. Gupta, Dean, Horticulture and Forestry,. The session was convened by Dr. Puneet Choudhary, Chief Scientist and Head, KVK, Jammu. Prof. Amrish Vaid, Head, Plant Pathology coordinated the event.
Speakers deliberated upon nano urea, wheat cultivation, laying out of orchard, rabi vegetables, animal diseases and their management. Farmers also share their experiences during the ghoshthi. Rural sports viz. tug of war, volleyball, shot put, long jump, race, kabaddi, basketball etc were also the main attractions during the mela. The rural sports activities are organized under the convenorship of Dr. Akhil Gupta, Professor, Fisheries.