Dir Agri (J) launches E-Plant clinics for Rajouri & Udhampur Distts

Jammu : Director Agriculture, Jammu H. K. Razdan Monday launched E-Plant Clinics for Rajouri and Udhampur Districts on the concluding day of seven days training program of Plant Doctors which was organized by Agriculture Department in collaboration with Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) under Plantwise Program.
Speaking on the occasion Director Agriculture said there is need to widen the scope of ongoing E-Plant Clinics to uncovered districts of Jammu Division to mitigate the insect pests, disease and deficiencies problems of various agricultural crops. He impressed upon the officers of department and CABI to educate the farmers regarding adverse effects of indiscriminate use of pesticides and their residual effect. He further asked the Plant Doctors to work on different aspects of the pest management including data collection, online validation, analysis and issuance of regular advisories for recommendations.
Joint Director of Agriculture (Extension) R. L Bhagat said the online data generated through these E-Plant Clinics will be very useful for the forecasting the pest incidence and to take preventive measures at appropriate time. Joint Director SLUB Bulesh Zutshi stressed on the active involvement of the farmers, regular updation and alternative second line back-up of Plant Doctors to achieve the objectives of this program.
Earlier, while presenting the preview of PLANTWISE program Ganeshamoorthy Rajenderan, Country Co-ordinator, CABI, South Asia welcomed Director Agriculture and briefed him about the program and informed that about 28 new officers are being trained as Plant Doctors. He said CABI is working among the small and marginal farmers in the 40 member countries including India for the food security on the principal “To Loose Less & Feed More.
The E-launch of new Plant Clinics was attended by Deputy Director Agriculture (Trainings) Jammu Sunil Koul, Officiating Deputy Director (Central) Jammu Jagmohan Bhat, Officiating CAO Udhampur Ashok Verma, ADO Jammu S. K. Langer, SMS (II) Rajouri Balbir Singh, Assistant Soil Chemist Ashwani Kotwal, Agriculture Information Officer J.C. Raina, Assistant Bio-Chemist Anil Bakshi, AEO Information Vikas Sharma and others senior officers of the department.