Cluster meeting of Plant Doctors held under CABI’s Plantwise Programme

Jammu: One day Cluster meeting of Plant Doctors was today conducted under CABI’s Plantwise Programme here at Krishi Bhawan Jammu under the Chairmanship of Joint Director Agriculture (Extension) Jammu, Shahid Iqbal Sheikh.

The intent of the meeting held on the directions of Director of Agriculture Jammu, Inder Jeet was to evaluate the working of the Plant Doctors and discuss the activity Plan for 2021.

The meeting was also attended by Agriculture Chemist, Surishta Devi, DSSO, Iqbal Singh, Programme Officer, Sanjay Dhar and Plant Doctors from five Districts of Jammu Division among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahid Iqbal said that there is need to widen the scope and content of work progress of the Plant Clinics to other districts also to mitigate the insect pests and disease problems of crops. He impressed upon the officers concerned to organize the refresher trainings of the Plant Doctors regularly for providing effective Plant Pest/Diseases management advisory system to facilitate the farmers through Plant Clinics.

Earlier, Plant Protection Officer, Davinder Sharma advised the Plant Doctors to update knowledge about various aspects of the pest management, including data collection, online validation, analysis and recommendations.

Arun Khajuria, I/C Plant Health Clinic Jammu, presented the past year achievements of 24 E-Plant Clinics established in five districts namely Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri and Samba.

It was apprised that direct advisory service on plant Pest and diseases was recorded for about 4551 farmers till January, 2021 through trained plant Doctors of plant clinics.

Series of activity sessions, including interaction and feedback, Diagnostic Assessment and Recommendations Assessment group exercise were conducted during the programme. Identification and management of Fall Army Worm was also discussed threadbare in the meeting.