Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 13: A publication on “Natural Farming-Challenges and Opportunities,” by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Reasi and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu (SKUAST-J), was released during the Foundation Day event of ICAR-Atari, Ludhiana Zone-I today.
KVK, Reasi operates under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof B N Tripathi and the guidance of Director Extension Prof Amrish Vaid of SKUAST-J.
As per a statement, the Foundation Day event drew enthusiastic participation from agricultural scientists across Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Dr Parvender Sheoron, Director of ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana, presented an overview, highlighting KVKs’ achievements and commending scientists for their dedicated efforts in serving the farming community.
Dr Banarsi Lal, Senior Scientist & Head of KVK, Reasi, expressed gratitude to the Directors of ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana, and SKUAST-J for their encouragement and support.
Director Extension, SKUAST-J, congratulated KVK, Reasi, for the publication release, commending the team’s efforts in serving the farming community.
During the event, Tilak Raj, a progressive farmer from Sirah village, Reasi district, received the “Innovative Farmer Award.”
Recognized for his outstanding contributions and innovations in lemongrass farming, Tilak Raj has pioneered the cultivation, product development, and value addition of lemongrass and other crops. He is also the President of the FPO formed on lemongrass by SKUAST-J.
Dr Banarsi Lal highlighted the promotion of lemongrass by KVK in monkey-affected areas, emphasizing its resilience to damage by monkeys, providing increased returns to farmers.
He stressed the importance of value addition in lemongrass farming, particularly in hilly areas, to enhance farmers’ income.
Tilak Raj expressed gratitude to Prof Amrish Vaid, Director Extension of SKUAST-J, for timely and necessary guidelines on scientific cultivation, contributing to the success of lemongrass farming and organic practices.
His success has inspired other farmers in the region to adopt lemongrass cultivation, organic farming, and horticultural crop production.