Early Times Report KATHUA, Feb 10: A five-day exposure visit of farmers outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was flagged off today with the aim of upgrading farmers' knowledge and skills in modern agricultural technologies and scientific farming practices. The exposure visit, scheduled from February 9 to February 13, 2026, is being led by the District Agriculture Officer (Extension), Kathua, Shri Raj Singh Sumbria, under the overall guidance and chairmanship of the Chief Agriculture Officer, Kathua, Shri Jatinder Kumar. During the visit, participating farmers will receive hands-on training and practical exposure to advanced agricultural technologies, with special emphasis on potato production through Aeroponic and Hydroponic techniques. In addition, farmers will be introduced to scientific and innovative methods for enhancing productivity, improving crop quality, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices for various crops. The tour was formally flagged off by the Worthy District Development Commissioner, Kathua Rajesh Sharma who interacted with the farmers and officials and encouraged participants to make the most of the learning opportunity. The DDC emphasized that exposure visits play a vital role in transforming traditional farming into a more technology-driven and income-oriented sector, enabling farmers to adopt best practices successfully back home. Officials from the Agriculture Department stated that such exposure visits are part of ongoing efforts to modernize agriculture in Kathua district, strengthen farmers' capacity, and promote the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to ensure better livelihoods and long-term sustainability. The participating farmers expressed optimism that the knowledge gained during the visit would help them improve crop production, reduce input costs, and increase overall farm income in the district. |