On the third day of ongoing five day Krishak Mela, being organized by SKUAST Jammu, a MoU was signed between Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu and Central Sericulture Research & Training Institute, Pampore, Kashmir in presence of Prof., J. P. Sharma, Vice- Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu and Dr. Sardar Singh Director, CSRTI, Pampore to further strengthen the research activities.
A state level seminar on ‘Sustainable Livelihood and Nutritional Security under Changing Climate Scenario in N-W Himalayas’ sponsored by JK Science Technology and Innovation Council, Govt. J&K was organized under the Chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Pardeep Wali, Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu.
Dr. Anish Yadav, National Fellow & Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & Animal Husbandry, R.S. Pura talked about Sustaining Livestock Food Security in Changing Climate Scenario, while Dr. Anil Kumar, Chief Scientist FSR & Nodal Officer, ICAR presented his view on Sustainable Ecosystem based Resource Use for Enhancing Livelihood Security in North Western Jammu Sub Himalayan Region.
A technical session was organized on ‘Natural farming: Principles and Advantages’ under the Chairmanship of Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Director, Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla. Dr. Jagdish Singh, Head, Division of Forest Extension, HFRI (ICFRE), Shimla delivered a lecture highlighting how diversification of agriculture through medicinal and aromatic plants can help in better income generation while Dr. Ajay Gupta, Sr. Scientist & Head KVK, Poonch talked on Natural Farming: Principles and four main elements of Subhash Palekar Natural Farming (SPNF) Model.
Dr. Prashant Bakshi, Professor & Head, Division of Fruit Science and I/c Organic & Natural Farming gave a detailed presentation on ‘Organic production of fruit crops’ while Dr. Vikas Abrol, Professor, Division of Soil Science & Agriculture Chemistry highlighted the role of Bio Fertilizers in Sustainable Agriculture.
Harbeer Singh, Editor, Rural Voice, New Delhi visited Integrated Farming System Model, different stalls of Krishak Mela and lauded the University administration for organizing such a mega event to benefit the farming community.
A Kisan Ghosti was also organized under the Chairmanship of Dr. J.P Sharma, Ex-Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu. Dr. Brij Nandan, Chief Scientist (Agronomy) PRSS, Samba spoke on “Scientific cultivation of major rabi pulses of Jammu region” wherein he deliberated on proper seed rate and weed management and informed farmers that PRSS Samba has prepared a Package of Practices (PoP) for Rabi pulses. Parveen Singh, a progressive farmer from Kathua shared his success story w.r.t mushroom cultivation and organic farming and suggested his fellow farmers to shift to organic farming, while Dr. R. Puniya, Asstt. Professor, (AICRP-WM) updated farmers about weed management in rabi crops w.r.t narrow and broad leaved weeds and suggested their control measures.
Dr. Amrish Vaid, Prof. and Head, Plant Pathology talked about various diseases in rabi crops, while Dr. Uma Shanker, Prof. Entomology replied to the queries of farmers w.r.t snails and slugs and suggested their management.
Anjana Thakur, Chairman, Himalayan Mahila Evam Jan Kalyan Sanstha (NGO) while talking on ‘Self Help Group & Natural Hygiene’ informed farmers about the activities of the NGO and said that that her NGO is exclusively working on organic farming and needs support from various agencies so that it can be promoted further.
Simultaneously, to attract more youth and farmers in Krishak Mela, rural sports competitions on tug of war, volleyball, athletic events, kabaddi, basketball etc were also organised.