 Early Times Report
REASI, Oct 19: The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Reasi, operating under the guidance of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies Jammu (SKUAST-J), conducted an awareness program on natural farming as part of the "Up scaling of natural farming through KVKs" project. This educational initiative took place at the KVK Reasi campus in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, and saw enthusiastic participation from school children and teachers from the Government High School Ser Sundwan in Reasi.
The program was organized under the dynamic leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. BN Tripathi, and the able guidance of Director Extension, Prof. SK Gupta of SKUAST-J. Its primary objective was to raise awareness about natural farming among school children and teachers.
The program was inaugurated by Dr. Banarsi Lal, the Senior Scientist & Head of KVK Reasi. During his inaugural address, he emphasized the significance of natural farming, highlighting its benefits for soil health, human health, animal health, and the environment. Dr. Lal stressed that Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir holds immense potential for natural farming, and he encouraged the creation of entrepreneurial opportunities among farmers by producing quality and safe food through natural farming methods. He also advocated a cluster-based approach for adopting natural farming, explaining that it is an agro-ecology based farming system that integrates crops, trees, livestock, and functional biodiversity.
Dr. Lal provided insights into the four pillars of natural farming and emphasized the adoption of zero-budget natural farming. He discussed practices such as Jeevamrit, Beejamrit, mulching, Acchadana, and various other biocontrol agents essential for natural farming.
Dr. Lalit Upadhyay, another scientist, emphasized the role of natural farming in producing safe and healthy food for society. He highlighted the potential of natural farming to reduce farmers' dependence on external inputs, lower cultivation costs, and increase farmers' income. Dr. Upadhyay also discussed soil and environmental health in detail. |
