Srinagar: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir Saturday kick-started a 10-day national program on natural farming along with Kissan Samman Diwas at Shalimar campus.
SKUAST-K’s Directorate of Extension organised a series of programs under the World Bank-ICAR-funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP). A certificate course on Integrated Nutrient Management for Input Dealers, Agri Clinics and Agri Business Program and a training program on commissioning and operation of Krishi Radio also commenced on Saturday.
Deputy Director General, Agriculture Extension, ICAR, Dr Udham Singh Gautam, who was the chief guest at the occasion, thanked the SKUAST-K for organising such an event wherein the farmers, entrepreneurs and scientists across different states of the country are participating. He said it is important to change the mindset of the farmer from being a domestic farmer to a commercial farmer. To boost the farming community, a meeting of millionaire and billionaire farmers was recently held in New Delhi and there are plans to host such events regularly to showcase the progressive farmers. He said he was impressed by the farmers of the valley who not only are educated but have excelled in different enterprises.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai impressed upon all the stakeholders to think differently to feed the increasing population with the shrinking land. “We not only have to increase the production and productivity but at the same time, we have to be sustainable with due care of our soil health. We have changed our ideology of calling our farmers as marginal or poor to champion farmers and are converting our students into future leaders and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Vice Chancellor, YS Parmar University, Solan, Prof Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, in his address, stressed minimizing the dependence upon the external inputs which stains the farmers at the cost of 35000/acre on vegetables, 15000/acre on cereals and 1,50,000 /acre in the horticulture sector. This is only possible if the shift is made towards natural farming practices.
Director, ATARI, Zone-I, Prof Parvender Sheoran said that farmers are working very hard and invited all champion farmers on foundation day to be celebrated on January 11, 2024. Under the Viksit Bharat Sankalp program, there is a need to highlight the “Meri Kahaani Meri Zubaani” of champion farmers to inspire other farmers, he said.
Director, Extension, Prof Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, in his welcome address, explained the essence of the celebration of KISAN SAMAN DIWAS. He presented the farmers of different KVKs who have excelled in Agriculture and allied sectors. During the event, a compendium on Natural Farming was released and champion farmers of various Krishi Vigyan Kendras along with the team of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Scientists were felicitated. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof Azmat Alam Khan, OSD to Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K and Co-PI NAHEP.
Prof Haroon R Naik, Director Research, Prof Tariq Hussin Masoodi, Registrar, Prof Shabir A Wani, Dean Horticulture, Prof Rohitashaw Kumar, Associate Dean, College of Agri Engineering, Prof Junaid A Khan, Estates Officer, Program Coordinators and scientists of Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Kashmir Valley and Directorate of Extension, awardee farmers of various Krishi Vigyan Kendras and participants of the training programs were present at the occasion.

KR Desk