Role of university in horticulture improvement discussed

Nauni, January 19, 2022: Dr. Parvinder Kaushal, Vice-Chancellor of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni interacted with progressive growers Prem Chauhan and Harish Chauhan at the university campus and discussed the university's role in the improvement of horticulture in the state.

While interacting with the Vice-Chancellor, the farmers requested the university to create more awareness about the problem of rusting which has been occurring in apple crop for the past few years. Prem Chauhan, who is an award-winning orchardist from Shimla, thanked the university scientists for their constant support and guidance due to which his work has been recognized on various platforms.  He said that the farmers needed to follow the university spray schedule but also requested the university to prepare a ‘control spray schedule’ so that it can be made more economical. Chauhan lauded the decision of the university to attach Undergraduate students with a farming family. He suggested that these students must be encouraged to establish practical models for horticulture crops in the farmer’s fields and such models should also carry marks for the award of final degree. 

Harish Chauhan, convener of Hill States Horticulture Forum raised the issue of proper quarantine of imported planting material. He called for a greater role of the university in such activities so that only the disease and pest-free material reach the farmer’s field. Harish Chauhan also suggested that the university must prepare a spray schedule for pear, as a large number of orchardists are engaged in its cultivation. Discussion on expanding the reach of the university extension programmes and the proper utilization of the skilled human resource created by the university for the betterment of the farming community were also undertaken during the meeting.

Dr. Kaushal said that the university appreciates the suggestions of the farmers and will ensure that these can be implemented into the university programmes. During the interaction, Dr. Kaushal shared the various steps taken by the university in the past few years to improve its outreach. He said that the university has been actively seeking suggestions from the farmers and experts to finalize its research and extension programmes and for this purpose regular brainstorming sessions are organized with the active participation of progressive farmers from all over the state.