Excelsior Correspondent
KASHMIR, Jan 13: Directorate of Extension, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) in collaboration with the HIL (India) Limited, organized an awareness programme on the `Safe and Judicious use of pesticides and promotion of IPM practices, here today.
Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary (Chemicals & Petrochemicals), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, GoI, graced the occasion as the chief guest. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary (Agriculture), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI; Prof Raihana H Kanth, Director, Directorate of Extension and Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K; Deepankar Aron, Joint Secretary (Chemicals), DCPC; Kuldeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, HIL (India) Limited; Prof Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar, SKUAST-K; Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Director Agriculture, Kashmir; and Yashpal Ramdev, Technical Advisor, UNIDO India were also present on the occasion.
The programme aimed to sensitize farmers about the judicious, safe, and responsible use of pesticides, with a focus on promoting sustainable, environmentally sound, and economically viable agricultural practices. A key highlight of the event was the launch of an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Compendium for regional vegetable crops, which will serve as a valuable resource for farmers and extension workers. The programme also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HIL (India) Limited and SKUAST-K for the joint implementation of the FARM Project (Fostering Agrochemical Reduction and Management) in Kashmir.
Nivedita Shukla Verma appreciated the collaborative efforts of HIL (India) Limited and SKUAST-K and emphasized farmer training, IPM adoption, and awareness as key to reducing pesticide misuse.
Prof Raihana H Kanth highlighted the vision, mission, and farmer-centric objectives of SKUAST-K, emphasizing the University’s role in promoting sustainable & scientific agriculture through extension and capacity-building initiatives.
Sartaj Ahmad Shah emphasized the need for crop-specific, judicious pesticide use and encouraged farmers to follow scientific advisories, adopt IPM practices, and utilize Government schemes for improved farm productivity and environmental safety.
Prof Azmat Alam Khan, Registrar, SKUAST-K, reiterated the University’s commitment to strengthening research-extension linkages and fostering meaningful collaborations aimed at farmer empowerment and sustainable agricultural development.
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