Mandi’s KVK gets state award

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, achieved another milestone as its Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Mandi, received the Best KVK Award at the State-Level Farm and Food Agriculture Awards function held in Mohali (Punjab).

The award was presented in recognition of the KVK-Mandi’s outstanding contribution towards agricultural extension services, farmer empowerment and the promotion of sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices. The honour highlights the KVK’s dedicated efforts in technology dissemination, capacity-building of farmers, crop diversification, and adoption of innovation-driven approaches to enhance agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

Vice-Chancellor AK Pandey said that the recognition at a state-level platform reflected the university’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the agricultural extension system and improving farmers’ income through science-based interventions. He said that the university would continue to work closely with farming communities to promote sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient technologies in Himachal Pradesh.

Director of Extension Education Dr Vinod Sharma lauded the consistent efforts of the KVK-Mandi in translating research into field-level impact. He stated that the award was a testament to the dedication of scientists and staff in empowering farmers through need-based trainings, demonstrations and farmer-centric innovations.

Pankaj Sood, senior scientist at the KVK-Mandi, was also honoured in the best research and farming system category. He received the award for his specialised work in fruit fly management and for developing cost-effective traps to protect crops from insect pests, benefiting a large number of farmers in the region.

Five progressive farmers were also felicitated by the farm and food organisation, Premlata from the Balh area of Mandi district for integrated farming systems; Sunita Devi in the innovative woman farmer category; Leena Sharma from Panjayanu (Pangna) for natural farming; Bindra Devi in the best woman farmer category; and Ankit Sharma for excellence in mushroom production.