 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 8: Progressive farmer of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Reasi of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J), Sh.Tilak Raj, resident of Sirah village in Reasi district(J&K) has been honoured with the ‘IARI Innovative Farmer Award 2024’ by the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), PUSA, New Delhi for taking a lead in the cultivation, product development and value addition in the lemongrass farming and agricultural/ horticultural crops during the Innovative Farmers Meet held recently at Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), PUSA, New Delhi. KVK, Reasi is working under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof.B.N.Tripathi and able guidance of Director Extension Prof.Amrish Vaid of SKUAST-J. The meet was chaired by the worthy Deputy Director General (DDG), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi who congratulated Sh.Tilak Raj for achieving the coveted award. The award was presented by the IARI, New Delhi for the exceptional contribution and innovations of Sh.Tilak Raj in lemongrass farming and agricultural/horticultural crops.
It is worthwhile to mention here thatTilak Raj has established lemon grass crop and horticultural crops units in his farm and inspiring the other farmers of the area for the cultivation of lemon grass, agricultural/ horticultural crops production etc. He is also the President of Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) formed on lemongrass by SKUAST-J. By observing successful results of Sh.Tilak Raj, many other farmers from other villages are also showing keen interest towards the cultivation of lemon grass, agricultural/ horticultural crops production, organic and natural farming etc. According to Dr.Banarsi Lal, Chief Scientist & Head of KVK, Reasi lemon grass is promoted in the monkey prone areas of the district as this crop is not damaged by the monkeys and farmers can fetch more farm returns by commercially growing it. He emphasised on the value addition in lemon grass farming so as to increase the income and employment among the farmers. Sh.Tilak Raj thanked KVK, Reasi for the timely and necessary support and guidelines on the scientific cultivation of lemon grass farming, horticultural crops production, organic and natural farming. |
