Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Dec 26: Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kathua organized a mega Kisan Mela at Duggan Block in Bani tehsil under Vice-Chancellor to Village programme of SKUAST-Jammu.
Prof J P Sharma, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu, was the chief guest on the occasion whereas Dr Sumati Sharma was special guest and J S Jasrotia, SDM Bani was guest of honour. The fair was attended by large number of farmers, farm women, Panch and Sarpanch of the area.
In his address, Prof Sharma emphasised upon the welfare schemes of Government of India in agriculture and urged farmers to avail benefits of these schemes. He deliberated in detail about the Farmer Producer Organization and its scope and significance for hilly areas of Jammu region. He also expressed his thoughts for having separate KVK in district Kathua for catering the needs of Bani and Basohli. He suggested KVK to replicate such stories for larger benefit of farming community.
Mr Jasrotia, SDM Bani, discussed the issues of farmers and emphasized that the farmers should focus on producing high value crops during the fair.
At the outset, Dr Vishal Mahajan, Sr Scientist and Head KVK Kathua, welcomed the dignitaries during the programme. On the ocassion, a Kisanghoshti was also organised during which farmers were provided on spot solution of the queries raised by them.
During the Kisan Mela, progressive farmers were felicitated for their best contribution in the field of agriculture and allied sectors in that area. Resource persons from SKUAST-Jammu namely Dr Amrish Vaid, Nodal Officer Mega Seed Projects; Dr Amit Jasrotia, Head Division of Fruit Science and Dr Jagmohan Singh, Professor Division of Food Science and Technology interacted with farmers and sensitized them for different agricultural and allied activities essential for increasing production and farmers income.
Exhibition depicting technologies of farmers welfare was also organised on the occasion. Dr Pawan Sharma, SMS KVK Kathua, conducted proceeding of the mela. Programme concluded with vote of thanks by Dani Ram, Sarpanch of Duggan. Dr Berjesh Ajrawat, Dr Vijay Kumar, Dr Ajay Kumar, Raj Kumar and Sahil also helped in the smooth conduct of the programme.