Farmers’ awareness camp held at Domana
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 10: MLA Jammu North and former Minister, Sham Lal Sharma, today laid emphasis on Integrated Crop Production (ICP) as a sustainable and farmer-friendly approach to agriculture.
Addressing a farmer awareness and training camp organized at Lower Domana with the objective of creating awareness among farmers about modern horticultural practices and sustainable income enhancement, he explained that integrated crop production is a holistic farming system that focuses on the judicious use of natural resources, balanced input management, and adoption of eco-friendly practices to achieve higher productivity and long-term sustainability.
A large number of farmers from the adjoining areas participated in the camp.
Sham Lal highlighted that integrated crop production involves crop diversification, including the integration of horticulture crops such as fruits and vegetables with traditional field crops, which helps in risk reduction and ensures stable income throughout the year.
He stressed the importance of soil health management through soil testing, balanced use of fertilizers, organic manures, green manuring, and bio-fertilizers.
Sham Lal further emphasized integrated pest and disease management (IPM), which includes the use of resistant varieties, cultural practices, biological control agents, and need-based use of pesticides to reduce chemical residues and production costs. He also underlined the role of efficient water management, including drip and sprinkler irrigation, mulching, and rainwater harvesting, to conserve water and improve water-use efficiency.
He explained that integrated crop production also promotes mechanization, use of quality planting material, timely farm operations, and adoption of modern technologies, which collectively enhance crop productivity and reduce labor costs. Sham Lal appealed to farmers to adopt integrated crop production practices in coordination with the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments to ensure sustainable farming, higher income, and improved livelihood.
Besides, Sham Lal Sharma, Director Horticulture Jammu, Gul Sayeed, and Chief Horticulture Officer, Jammu, R.K. Kotwal Horticulture Development Officer, Bhalwal, Ravinder Kumar and officer/officials of all department of Bhalwal zone were present on the occasion.
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