Call for Enhanced Inter-Organization Collaborations to Boost Outreach

The 24th Extension Council meeting of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, was held at the university campus. The meeting, chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, included officials from Horticulture, Agriculture and Forests Department, along with scientists and progressive farmers. The primary objective was to develop a strategic roadmap for the university’s future extension programmes.

Director of Extension Education, Dr. Inder Dev, presented a comprehensive overview of the various extension activities conducted by the University’s Directorate of Extension Education, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and Regional Research Stations. He reported that the university, along with its outstations and colleges, had reached over 40,000 farmers in the past year through training sessions, exposure visits, Kisan melas,and interactions. Additionally, he provided an action report on the previous year’s agendas along with future activities.

In his address, Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel emphasized the importance of sustainable solutions for the farming community, integrating livestock and poultry with agriculture. He advised extension personnel to set up demonstrations near roadsides to maximize outreach, with a focus on end-user needs. Prof. Chandel also highlighted the university's efforts in developing a sustainable platform for natural farming and providing support to various Farmers Producers Companies with assistance from NABARD and the Agriculture Department. He mentioned the prestigious inter-institutional ACROPICS agroecology project funded by the European Commission, which will showcase university’s work on natural farming on the international stage. The ACROPICS consortium consists of 15 members from 13 countries :12 academic organisations and 3 companies.

Director of Agriculture, Kumud Singh, praised the university's extension efforts and suggested that collaboration with different government agencies could significantly amplify their reach and success. She called for the documentation of success stories to increase awareness and sharing these with different departments. She also urged the university to conduct impact analyses on varieties susceptible to various pests and diseases and disseminate information on better varieties suitable for the region.

Progressive farmers shared their views, suggesting that drying stone fruits could help fetch better prices and manage unmarketable produce. They also need for education on managing forest fires and afforestation activities according to the area, educating farmers about the residual effects of pesticides on crops, providing literature in vernacular languages and training on value addition of fruits and vegetables.

Earlier, Dr. PL Sharma and Dr. DP Sharma, Deans of the University’s colleges at Neri and Thunag respectively, presented the extension activities carried out by their colleges. Dr. Anil Sood, Joint Director Communications, gave a presentation on the extension activities conducted by the university’s two colleges at the main campus at Nauni.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Director of Horticulture Dr. Shivali Thakur, Dr. Vinod Sharma from CSK HPKV Palampur, progressive farmers Nihal Singh, Surender Singh Mehta, Maharaj Krishan Badyal and various statutory officers, scientists, and extension personnel from the university.