New Krishi Vigyan Kendra opens at Lahaul-Spiti

Ambika Sharma

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A new Krishi Vigyan Kendra has been opened by Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, at Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti. It was inaugurated by JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Home Affairs. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) sanctioned this new KVK considering the needs of the farmers of the Spiti Valley and Rs 49.36 lakh was sanctioned for it during 2016-17 for the creation of infrastructure and demonstration of plots and Rs 129.08 lakh in 2017-18 to carry out various extension activities. Seven posts of scientific staff and eight posts of technical staff were also sanctioned for the KVK by ICAR in June 2017.

Initially, Lahaul and Spiti district had one KVK at Kukumseri in the Lahaul valley, while the farmers of Spiti Valley, which is approximately 250 km away from KVK, Kukumseri, faced hardships in cultivation of fruits and other crops. The farmers of the Spiti valley were deprived of trainings /agro-advisory services as compared to people in the Lahaul Valley. Considering the need to improve farmers’ income and crop diversification, this KVK has been set-up. It will cater to the needs of the farmers of Spiti Valley, with particular emphasis on fruits, medicinal plants, and vegetable crops.

Terming it as a boon for the farmers, Vice-Chancellor Dr HC Sharma said it would enhance the productivity of fruit crops, vegetables, floriculture, medicinal and aromatic plants and farmers will be encouraged to adopt beekeeping and mushroom cultivation.

Yoga Day celebrations

The students’ welfare officer of the university celebrated International Yoga Day where 1,000 participants, including faculty members, staff and students gathered in the gymnasium at 7.30 am and the programme concluded at 10.30 am. Saint and head of The Dhyan Yog Ashram and Ayurveda Research Centre, Kathani, Subathu Solan, addressed the gathering and explained the importance of yoga. He also demonstrated some of the important yoga asanas to the participants. Vice-Chancellor Dr HC Sharma also participated in the celebrations.

Project sanctioned

A new project entitled “Role of Helicoverpa Gut Microflorain Development of Resistance to Bt Transgenic Crops Through Potentiation /Detoxification of d-endotoxins Toxin Proteins of Bacillus Thuringiensis” has been sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, to the university .This will fetch funds worth Rs 74 lakh. Vice-Chancellor Dr HC Sharma has been instrumental in bringing this project to the university. Dr KC Sharma, Principal Scientist (Entomology), will look after the project under the guidance of Dr HC Sharma.

The outcome of these studies will be useful in designing appropriate strategies for minimising the chances of development of resistance in insects against Bt toxins in insect-resistant transgenic crops. The research findings will also help in designing effective pest management programmes involving transgenic crops to reduce pesticide application. It will also help to understand the extent to which detoxifying enzymes and the proteases produced by the microbes in insect gut contribute to development of resistance in genetically engineered crops.

New appointments

Rajesh Kumar, a Himachal Administrative Services officer, has joined as the new Registrar after the earlier incumbent Yashpal Sharma, who served for over a year, was transferred. Kumar was earlier serving as ADM, Una. Hiramani Verma has joined as the new comptroller in place of TS Bodh.

The university has also advertised 15 posts of different categories at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tabo, Lahaul and Spiti, and the process for filling theses posts is under process. The university is, however, yet to appoint a public relations officer despite having advertised the post months ago. This key post has been lying vacant since the past several years.