SKUAST-Jammu organizes Farmers’ Awareness Meet

Jammu: One day Farmers’ Awareness Meet on Sustainable Livestock-Crop Production System for Improving Livelihood of Farmers was today organized by SKUAST-Jammu, here at Chatha farm-Bhour Camp (Panchayat Bhawan/ghar).

The event was supported by the project of Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B, DST, GOI) and was organized to disseminate knowledge about various sustainable practices regarding animals and agricultural sciences to the farmers.

Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, Prof. J. P. Sharma, who was the chief guest on the occasion, emphasized on diversification of crops and animal production. He highlighted the importance of branding of agricultural products in-terms of the income of the farmers. He motivated the farmers to come forward to interact with the scientists of SKUAST-Jammu regularly for their benefit and socio-economic upliftment.

Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu, Dr. R. K. Gupta highlighted the activities of the Women Scientist Project WOS-B and the role of multidisciplinary approaches for improving the farmers’ income. He also highlighted that the dung and cow urine may be used for the preparation of bio-compost and bio-pesticides, respectively.

Dr. S. K. Gupta, Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu, informed about the importance of such programmes and different activities of the university to the farmers.

Welcome Address was presented by Prof. M. S. Bhadwal, Dean, F. V. Sc. & AH, highlighted the importance of the livestock keeping as a major tool of social engineering, and multidisciplinary approaches as the need of hour for improving the farmers’ income and sustainable growth.

Bio-pesticides and its significances were demonstrated by Vibha Raj Shanti, PI of project Women Scientist Scheme-B (DST, GOI). She emphasized on the need to use bio-pesticides for sustainable growth.

Monographs on Bhakarwali Goat and Poonchi sheep prepared by Dr. Dhirendra Kumar and Dr. Dibyendu Chakraborty, were also released on the occasion by Vice-Chancellor along with different pamphlets.

Brief about the Farmers Awareness Meet and Project was given by Dr. N. K. Pankaj and the programme was conducted by Dr. S. Gurdeep Singh and Dr. Amitoz Kour. Dr. Daljeet Bindra, CAHO, AHD department, Sarpanch S. Avtar Singh, and other progressive farmers also spoke on the occasion.

Dr. Daljeet Bindra responded to the different queries raised by the farmers about animal husbandry practices on the occasion. Various stalls displaying University produce and stall by Agriculture and Veterinary companies were also the highlight of the programme.

Animal treatment camp was also organized and scientists of SKUAST-Jammu provided free treatment to the farmers. Free medicines were distributed to the farmers by Animal Husbandry Department as well. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Vibha Raj Shanti.