KVK Ganderbal organized one day Workshop cum Farmers-Scientist Interaction on Integrated Disease & Pest Management in Apple among farmers of District Ganderbal’ at KVK campus under HADP project entitled, “Minimization of Pesticide Use in Agriculture”.
The aim of this workshop was to aware farmers about effective control and minimizing the impact of diseases and pests while promoting sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming practices.
The workshop was conducted under the patronage of Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K and guidance of Prof. Haroon A. Naik, Director Research SKUAST-K and technical guidance of Prof. Tariq Rasool, P.I. of HADP project & Dr. Ishfaq Abidi, Chief Scientist & Head KVK Ganderbal.
The programme started with welcome address by Dr. Shuja Nabi Qureshi, Scientist KVK Ganderbal who also gave an outline regarding Integrated Disease & Pest Management in Apple in the UT of J&K. Prof. Ishfaq Abidi, gave a comprehensive overview of IDP in Apple & other prominent crops of UT of J&K. he stressed on trainees to focus on innovative approaches of modern farming practices particularly the Automation & Precision farming for better outputs & sustainability.
The trainees were appraised about effective pest and disease control measures to improve yield & quality of fruits while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides/insecticides.
He emphasized on inculcating a spirit of Integrated farming for entrepreneurship among the farmers of the district. The Principal Investigator of the HADP Project, Prof. Tariq Rasool, Scientist Plant protection SKUAST-K gave a detailed technical lecture about the Integrated Disease & Pest Management in Apple & other fruit crops. He highlighted the role of biopesticides, bio-fungicides &other plant-based products which can be utilized for high density & traditional horticulture farming. During the interaction with the farmers different queries regarding high density planting, fertigation, disease/pest management were discussed by the team of experts. Prof. Tariq Rasool emphasized on integrated farming practices, creating more resilient and sustainable agricultural system, cluster orcharding, mechanization and use nano-molecules and bio-control agents under different farming systems, etc. to reap better benefits economically, socially, and environmentally.
The farmers visited various IFS units established at KVK Ganderbal led by Dr. Shaheen Farooq, Dr. Shuja, Dr. Amir Wani. Experts of Directorate of Agriculture/Horticulture also interacted with the farmers during the programme and appraised them about various HADP Schemes. The participants expressed deep gratitude for the programme and wished for more such programmes in future.
The session concluded with formal vote of thanks by Dr. Shaheen Farooq.
