Water Conservation Needed For Future Agriculture & Human Needs Say Farm Scientists

Diggal Village, Solan: Serious efforts towards mass water conservation would go a long way in ensuring availability of water for future generations for carrying out agricultural and day to activities. These were among the several views expressed by experts during the one-day Kisan Mela and scientists’ farmers’ interaction organized by Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan at Village Diggal in the Nalagarh block of Solan district. The event was organized under the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan of the Union Government to create awareness on water conservation and judicious use of water.

Dr Parvinder Kaushal, UHF Vice-Chancellor was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Vivek Chandel ADM Solan was the Guest of Honour. Dr Rakesh Gupta, Director Extension Education of the university, Raj Kumar, BDO Nalagarh, Dr Rajender Sharma, Deputy Director Horticulture, Dr PC Saini, Deputy Director Agriculture and over 850 farmers from Diggal and nearby panchayats attended the event. Besides line officers from the horticulture and agriculture departments, scientists from KVK Solan and various departments of the university were also present during the event.

Dr Parvinder Kaushal addressing the Kisan Mela at Diggal village

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Kaushal said the issue of water conservation needed the attention of every person and efforts towards its mitigation was the need of the hour. He called for the active participation of women in creating awareness on the issue and ensure everyone’s participation in this movement. He urged the farmers to adopt scientific methods and modern precision farming techniques to ensure more crop-per drop. Dr Kaushal said that the lower hills of the state had immense potential in horticulture and the university will make efforts for its promotion through regular training programmes and quality planting material. He laid special emphasis on food processing and the role of self-help groups in the marketing of food produce.

Large number of women farmers attended the Kisan Mela

ADM Vivek Chandel exhorted the farmers to become an active contributor in the conservation of the environment. He was of the view that the Gram Sabhas could be utilized for the dissemination of scientific information on the issues of public importance. Dr Rakesh Gupta gave an overview of the various extension activities carried out by the university. BDO Nalagarh informed the gathering about the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan and its importance. Earlier, while welcoming the Chief Guest, Dr DP Sharma, in-charge of the KVK Solan said that the objective of the Kisan Mela was to create awareness about the importance of water in the lives of the people and apprise them about the different conservation techniques.

An exhibition of the farm produce on display at the Kisan Mela

During the event, the participants were apprised about the various schemes of the agriculture and horticulture department for water conservation. Several technical lectures on strategies and methods for water conservation, precision irrigation and cultivation of prospective fruit for lower areas. An exhibition on fruits, vegetables and flowers, soil and water conservation, food science and technology, forest products, entomology and plant pathology were also displayed. The exhibition also had a separate display of samples of different fruits, flowers, vegetables grown by the farmers. A farmer scientist interaction was also held at the event where the scientists addressed the problems faced by the farmers. The winners of the essay and slogan writing and painting competition on water conservation organized by the KVK in the past week in several schools of the Nalagarh block were also awarded during the event.

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