Need to Focus on Practical-Based Field Trainings

The 19th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Solan, was held under the chairmanship of Professor Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of  Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Rajesh Rana, Principal Scientist, ICAR, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone 1, Ludhiana; Dr. Satish Kumar, Principal Scientist, Directorate of Mushroom Research; Dr. Dinesh Thakur, Associate Director, Regional Horticulture Research and Training Station, Mashobra; officers from the Agriculture, ATMA, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry Departments along with progressive farmers and KVK scientists.

The program began with the inauguration of an exhibition set up by KVK, showcasing various products and technologies. The main purpose of the meeting was to review the work done by the KVK and plan the course of action for the upcoming year. Dr. Inderdev, Director of Extension, welcomed the guests and provided a background on the extension work carried out by the university. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Amit Vikram, KVK Coordinator, who shared the actions taken on the recommendations of the 18th SAC meeting. He also discussed the work carried out during the year 2023-24 and outlined the proposed activities for the upcoming year. During the meeting, all members offered suggestions for future activities.

Addressing the members, Professor Chandel emphasized the need to review the impact of the technologies being disseminated to farmers through field trials or frontline demonstrations. He stressed that KVK should assess how many farmers have adopted these technologies and how much area has been increased under these technologies or crops. Additionally, he suggested that KVK should work on connecting farmers with various Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Professor Chandel also praised the work done by the KVK scientists and congratulated them on winning the ICAR award for the Best KVK in Himachal Pradesh.

During the discussion, progressive farmer Madan Gopal Sharma from Dharot village shared his challenge of not being able to use mulch (acchadhan) in his fields due to a shortage of dry grass. In response, Professor Chandel suggested that KVK should conduct research on the use of various types of mulches in farming. Dr. Seema Kansal, District Agricultural Officer, highlighted that farmers in the Nalagarh region primarily grow wheat and rice, and soil samples from their fields indicated a zinc deficiency. Dr. Yograj Chauhan, Director of ATMA, raised concerns about pinworm infestations in tomatoes in Ber village. The committee emphasized the importance of making training camps more practical, with a focus on hands-on learning through field trials.

Dr. Rajesh Rana recommended that scientists should consider the prestige and impact factor of research journals before publishing their research papers. He also suggested that the technologies being disseminated by KVK should be registered with ATARI. During the meeting, booklets on natural farming, capsicum cultivation and chrysanthemum farming, written by KVK scientists, were launched.