GANDERBAL: KVK Ganderbal organized one-day Workshop cum Farmers-Scientist Interaction on Integrated Disease & Pest Management in Apple among farmers of District Ganderbal’ at KVK campus under HADP project entitled, “Minimization of Pesticide Use in Agriculture”.
The aim of this workshop was to aware farmers of effective control and minimise the impact of diseases and pests while promoting sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming practices. The workshop was conducted under the patronage of Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K and guidance of Prof. Haroon A. Naik, Director Research SKUAST-K and technical guidance of Prof. Tariq Rasool, P.I. of HADP project & Dr. Ishfaq Abidi, Chief Scientist & Head KVK Ganderbal.
The programme started with a welcome address by Dr. Shuja Nabi Qureshi, Scientist KVK Ganderbal who also gave an outline regarding Integrated Disease & Pest Management in Apple in the UT of J&K. Prof. Ishfaq Abidi, gave a comprehensive overview of IDP in Apple & other prominent crops of UT of J&K. he stressed on trainees to focus on innovative approaches of modern farming practices particularly the Automation & Precision farming for better outputs & sustainability.
The trainees were appraised about effective pest and disease control measures to improve yield & quality of fruits while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides/insecticides. The farmers were urged to inculcate a spirit of Integrated farming for entrepreneurship.
The Principal Investigator of the HADP Project, Prof. Tariq Rasool, Scientist Plant Protection SKUAST-K gave a detailed technical lecture about the Integrated Disease & Pest Management in Apple & other fruit crops.
Prof. Tariq Rasool emphasized on integrated farming practices, creating a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system, cluster orcharding, mechanization and use of nano-molecules and bio-control agents under different farming systems, etc. to reap better benefits economically, socially, and environmentally.
The farmers visited various IFS units established at KVK Ganderbal led by Dr. Shaheen Farooq, Dr. Shuja, Dr. Amir Wani. Experts of Directorate of Agriculture/Horticulture also interacted with the farmers during the programme and appraised them about various HADP Schemes.