Dr. Parveen Kumar*
Under the dynamic leadership of Prof. B N. Tripathi and guidance of Prof. Amrish Vaid, Director Extension SKUAST-J, KVK-Ramban has been proactively engaged in serving farming community, youths and farm women of the district. This is being done through technology transfer, awareness and sensitization regarding different government schemes, laying a series of front line demonstrations of different crops, skill development trainings of youths and field functionaries, promotion of entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied sectors, developing appropriate linkages, timely advisories, providing marketing support, carrying out regular mass campaigns and farmers’ mobilization. The results of the efforts of KVK-Ramban are visible on the ground. The yields of FLDs provided by Kendra in farmers’ fields are much higher than the traditional varieties grown by them. This has resulted in an increase in net income of the farmers. Promotion of sustainable technologies like Natural Farming and the adoption of this practice by farmers have considerably brought down the cost of cultivation of farmers besides contributing to the health of our environment
All across the globe, most worrisome thing related to agriculture is the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers which has rusted in degradation and pollution of our natural resources like soil, water and air. The use of chemical fertilizers over the last so many decades has eroded the natural ability of our soils to grow more. The yields have stagnated and most of the beneficial microbes present in the soil have gone too much low in numbers. The Government of India recognizing the need of urgent and focused approach to this menace of chemical fertilizers have started a pan India mission known as National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) to promote and motivate adopt farmers towards natural farming practice. KVK-Ramban being the front line extension institute in the district too has taken up this mission on a war footing reaching every corner of the district with awareness generation, live demonstrations on various microbial preparations under Natural Farming. A recent addition in the list of stakeholders with whom KVK-Ramban has engaged to promote sustainable agricultural practices is the army. Besides protecting the country, the army has been working towards education, health and sanitation of the peoples. This defence force of the country is also been doing a great service for the farming community by organizing events aimed at awareness, sensitization and trainings of farming community. Officers/officials from all the departments are invited. They provide advisory, diagnostic and other related services to farming community.
The Kendra actively participated in an awareness camp organized by Army unit stationed at Patnitop in Batote in which a large number of farmers including farm women and youths participated. They were sensitized on various agriculture related schemes/programmes of
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir as well as various schemes of different Banks related to farm and allied sectors. Kendra also has conducted training programme on Natural Farming for the army Jawans. The army Jawans trained came from farming families and practicing farming when at home. The knowledge gained by them during these trainings is used by them practically in their fields and also to ensure that such knowledge also gets transferred to their native places from where they came. The company commander of local Rashtriya Rifle Unit Stationed at Patnitop was kind enough to facilitate the training programme of KVK-Ramban for his men in uniform. The endaveour of Kendra was also widely appreciated by the soldiers who assured the visiting team of adopting natural farming practice in their farms and also to motivate others to go for natural farming. The soldiers also raised many queries related to farming which were also addressed. Dr. Parveen Kumar Scientist Ag. Extension at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra while speaking about this noble initiative of KVK-Ramban told that the main objective of such engagement with the army is that men in uniform are being prepared for a different battle i. e the battle to restore mother earth of its nutrients, original fertility status, purity and vitality.
The author writes on agriculture and social issues; can be reached at [email protected]
