Ensure latest scientific recommendations reach farmers: Dr Markanda

Nauni (Himachal Pradesh): It is important to ensure that the research work of the scientists must reach the farmers so that they can benefit by adopting the latest recommendations in their fields. Dr Ram Lal Markanda, Minister of Agriculture, Tribal Development, Information and Technology stated this at inaugural session of the State Level Officers Workshop on Package of Practice for Vegetable crops being held at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni. The workshop was sponsored by the Department of Agriculture.
 
Dr Markanda was of the view that as a large number of people in Himachal Pradesh are directly and indirectly associated with agri-horticultural activities, therefore the dissemination of latest knowhow was very essential. He suggested that separate booklets of latest recommendations related to production of crops in different agro-climatic zones must be printed and made available to the farmers in those areas. He assured that the Package of Practice workshop will be held every year alternatively at UHF Nauni and CSK HPKV Palampur. Speaking about natural farming, the agriculture minister added that over 61000 farmers were undertaking natural farming in the state and the agriculture department had set a target of reaching over two lakh farmers in the coming year. 
 
Speaking on the occasion, UHF Vice-Chancellor Dr Parvinder Kaushal said that the scope of production of exotic and off-season vegetable in the state was very high and the farmers can reap rich dividends from its production. Dr Kaushal said that it was important that the new varieties are developed and released and its seeds are made readily available to the farmers. He also said that the students must be nurtured to become entrepreneurs in the agriculture horticulture sector.
 
Earlier Director of Extension Education Dr Rakesh Gupta welcomed the guests and gave a brief outline about the workshop. Director Research Dr JN Sharma gave an overview of the research activities of the university while Dr Anand Prashar, Joint Director Agriculture gave a presentation on the activities of the agriculture department in the state. The statutory officers of the university and scientists of the university attended the event. The agriculture minister also visited the hi-density apple plantations, vegetable science farm and natural farming experimental block of the university.
 
The scientists of CSK HPKV, UHF Nauni, IARI Regional Research Station, Katrain; CPRI Shimla; SAMETI, DMR Solan and line officers of the agriculture department took part in the event. During the workshop, three technical sessions on Varieties, Agrotechniques/ Seed Production/ Post Harvest and Plant protection were organised. The participants discussed the latest research in vegetable production, protection and technology in the state which have been carried out by the scientists of HPKV and UHF. Based on the discussions, the recommendations such as inclusion of new varieties and technology, will be added in the package of practice for the production of different vegetables in the state.