Educate apple growers on new techniques: Nauni varsity VC

Solan, August 29

A Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Chamba, run by Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, was held yesterday under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Dr Parvinder Kaushal.

Dr Kaushal, addressing the online meeting, said to realise the true potential of the ‘aspirational district’ tag, more vocational and training programmes should be incorporated. “Optimal cultivation of various agricultural and horticultural crops was yet to take place in the district where avocado and others crops having longer shelf life could be grown,” he said.

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On the low productivity and quality of apple in the district, the VC advised scientists to educate growers about new farming techniques like high-density plantations on clonal rootstocks.

Earlier, Dr Rajeev Raina, KVK coordinator, shared the success story of the station in improving pollination services in apple orchards through beekeeping in mud hives. He said trials for promoting asafoetida and bamboo as fodder had been initiated.

Dr Kuldeep Dhiman, Deputy Director, Agriculture, stressed the collaborative programmes while Dr Rajeev Chandra, Deputy Director, Horticulture, sought the support of scientists for the capacity building of the staff.

Representatives of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee and progressive farmers opined that the lack of knowledge about plant protection led to the low quality of apples which was a major cause for concern in the district.

Scientists also stressed the cultivation of carnation, lilium, aromatic plants and for effective dissemination of information. Dr Divender Gupta, Director, Extension Education, said the farmers should be educated about the recommended schedule of spraying to ensure high yield and quality. — TNS