STATE TIMES NEWS
POONCH: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Poonch today organized a mega Kissan Mela here at its campus. Dr. J.P. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu was the Chief Guest on this occasion.
Over 500 farmers from across the district participated in the mela.
Dr Sumiti Sharma, Scientist DRDO, Dr S K Gupta; Director Extension, Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Sr Scientist and Dr Pawan Sharma, SMS, Agri Economics also participated in the Mela as special invitees.
During the Mela exhibition stalls were displayed by KVK Poonch, MBRSS, Poonch, Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture and other line departments showing their activities.
The exhibition stall was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu, Dr. J.P Sharma.
A High Tech poly House and newly established lemon Block at KVK Poonch were also inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor on this occasion.
The Vice Chancellor, while addressing the farmers, said that there is a need to shift the focus from increasing productivity to farmers income and explained the need for adopting high value crops such as pecan nut, apple and baby corn in the district.
He also highlighted the need for promoting processing, value addition, diversified farming, silkworm rearing and fisheries in the district through active involvement of KVK and Line departments.
Dr. S K Gupta, Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu, in his address apprised the farmers about the utility and benefits of conducting organizing Kissan mela. He also appreciated the efforts of KVK Poonch in the dissemination of new technologies through demonstrations.
Dr. Ajay Gupta, Sr Scientist & Head, KVK-Poonch promised the Vice Chancellor that KVK will continue to work hard and meet the expectations of farming community on larger scale.
Dr Pawan Sharma, SMS Agri Economics, explained the importance of Farmer producer organization to the farmers. He also discussed different central schemes for farmers.
Progressive farmer, Chaudhary Saleem thanked prime Minister for the Kissan Samman Nidhi which he said was very beneficial for the farming community. Bansi lal, Mohd Yasin, Iftikar Hussain, Akhter Hussain and other farmers from the district also spoke on the occasion. They also thanked the Vice Chancellor and Director Extension SKUAST-Jammu for organising the Kisan Mela.
Later, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-J presented the best farmer award to 25 progressive farmers namely Bansi Lal of Degwar, S. Amrik Singh of Jhallas, Saleem Chaudhary, Capt. Sadiq, Sohan Lal and others for their hard work and excellence in agriculture and Horticulture.
Best Extension Award was also conferred to hard working officials which included Kulbir Singh, Mohammad Fareed Bhatti, Mahesh Kumar, Abdul Hamid Kohli and appreciation award to S Jasbir Singh and various departments for displaying the Exhibition stalls.
Among the other prominent officers who participated in the programme were Chief Agricultural Officer, Chief Horticulture Officer, Animal Husbandry Officer, District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Sericulture Officer, volunteers of NYKs, Sarpanches etc.
Dr Muzaffar Mir, SMS Fruit Science presented the vote of thanks and thanked all the farmers, SSP Poonch, Ramesh Kr. Angral for making security arrangements, besides the media fraternity and officers from line Department for active participation in the mela.
