Take to bee-keeping, mushroom cultivation, VC to farmers

Our Correspondent

Palampur, March 26

Prof Ashok Kumar Sarial, Vice-Chancellor, CSK HP Agriculture University, has asked Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) extension specialists to lay more front-line demonstrations on crops that are predominant in their respective districts. He stated this at the Scientific Advisory Committee meeting of the kendra near Paonta Sahib today.

While appreciating the farming community of Sirmaur, the Vice-Chancellor underlined the importance of regular interaction between farm scientists and farmers for effective transfer of technology. He asked the farmers to go in for organic farming.

He said animal husbandry was an integral part of hill farming, advising the farmers to grow high-value cash crops like European vegetables. The Vice-Chancellor said the farmers should supplement their farm income by mushroom cultivation and bee-keeping. Professor Sarial said KVK, Dhaulakuan, had been directed to lay more on-farm trials on cereals, pulses and oilseeds to motivate the farmers to take up farming of such crops on a larger scale.

He asked the farmers to be in touch with Krishi Vigyan Kendras and research stations of the university. Dr PK Mehta, Director, Extension Education, underlined the need for crop diversification and judicious use of pesticides in order to prevent damage to the natural eco system. He appreciated the team of KVK for extending best services to the farming community of the district.