Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 26: The Department of Agriculture Jammu, in collaboration with CAB International (CABI), today held a review meeting on the adoption and implementation of the PlantwisePlus Plant Clinic Programme.
The event focused on reviewing ongoing activities, strengthening coordination mechanisms and discussing future interventions for enhancing the plant health advisory system across the Jammu Division.
The programme was chaired by Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Sanjay Anand, Joint Director Agriculture (SLUB/Farms), Aman Jyoti Sharma and Dr Malvika Chaudhary, Global Team Leader, Digital Tools Uptake, CABI.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr Manju Thakur, followed by programme updates presented by Dr Malvika Chaudhary.
Rajiv Singh, JAEO & Data Manager, presented the PlantwisePlus progress achieved till date, reporting 42 functional plant clinics, 3084 clinic sessions conducted and a cumulative total of 8725 farmer queries recorded.
District representatives shared updates on their 2025 activity plans and ongoing Fall Armyworm (FAW) campaign initiatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Anand appreciated CABI’s significant support in FAW identification and management and emphasised the need to strengthen capacity-building programmes for Krishi Udhamyis, farmers, input dealers and progressive farmers.
He stressed the importance of establishing Plant Health Clinics at Kisan Khidmat Ghars, ensuring real-time sample data with accurate geo-coordinates, developing IPM model villages and promoting digital agriculture tools and early warning systems to support farmers.
Anand also highlighted the need for active engagement of SMS-level officers and recommended mandatory certificate courses through CABI Academy for panchayat-level field functionaries to develop a robust cadre of trained Plant Doctors.
A vote of thanks was delivered by SMS Arun Khajuria.
Dr Vishal Gupta, Dr Manju Thakur, Tejinder Singh, Chief Agriculture Officers of all districts of Jammu Division and regional, district and divisional-level SMS officers also attended the meeting.
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