“5th Annual Zonal Workshop of ICAR-ATARI, Pune” organized

7 - 9 July, 2022, Anand

The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra has organized its “5^th Annual Zonal Workshop” at Anand Agricultural University from 7^th to 9^th July, 2022.

  

 

Inaugurating the Workshop, the Chief Guest, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension), ICAR urged the Krishi Vigyan Kendras for focusing on increasing the oilseeds production & productivity to reduce the import burden of the country by narrowing the yield gaps and introduction of new varieties. The DDG also advised the researchers to focus on developing the short duration varieties of Pigeon Pea to increase production.

 

Dr. Singh stated that the KVKs should produce quality planting materials on the Instructional Farm. The need for developing the Natural Farming Models at the KVK Farm to enable the farmers to see the difference among the natural farming and the other farming models was stressed by him.

Dr. V.P. Chahal, ADG (Agricultural Extension), ICAR delivered the plenary address.

Dr. K.B. Kathiria, Vice-Chancellor, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat accentuated on enhancing the farmers’ income, promoting bio-fertilizers / bio-pesticides, proven I.F.S. Models and making KVK self-dependent, etc.

Dr. Z.P. Patel, Vice-Chancellor, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat urged the KVKs for implementing the technologies at their farms first before taking them to the farmers.

Dr. N.K. Gontia, Vice-Chancellor, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat appreciated the KVKs’ role in taking technologies to the farmers’ fields and providing training to the input dealers in the District.

Dr. R.M. Chauhan, Vice-Chancellor, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat emphasized on the need of Integrated Farming System for enhancing the income of smallholders, value-addition, women empowerment and following the cluster-based approach by the KVKs.

Shri P.P. Adrushya Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji, Chairman, Kaneri Math, Kolhapur, Maharashtra advised the KVKs to work towards conserving the soil health and biodiversity.

Dr. Lakhan Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Pune, Maharashtra underlined the salient achievements in the Zone - VIII during the last 5 Years. The works done by the KVKs on doubling the farmers’ income, linkages with Research Organizations, capacity building of KVKs, large-scale dissemination of technologies by KVKs, crop diversification, Nutri-Smart Villages, Natural Farming and Innovative Farmers Meets were highlighted by Dr. Singh.

Dr. C.S. Praharaj, Director, Directorate of Groundnut Research, Junagadh, Gujarat also deliberated during the occasion.

Around 150 participants including Heads and Senior Scientists of 82 Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Directors of Extension Education, Experts from ICAR Institutes and Nodal Officers of Agri-Drone Projects from 28 Centres attended the Workshop.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune Maharashtra)