Jammu:: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jammu in collaboration with AICRP on Agroforestry (SKUAST-J) Friday joined the nation Wide Plantation Drive programme being held to mark the ICAR Foundation Day and as a part of India@75- Azadi Ka Amrit Mahaotsav, here at village Prema Chak, tehsil R.S. Pura.
More than 300 plants of Neem, Ashoka, Aonla and Dhrenk were distributed among the farmers.
The programme began with the planting of sapling by chief guest, Prof. S. K. Gupta, Director Extension, Prof Bikram Singh, Guest of Honour Dean FOA, SKUAST-Jammu and other Dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Guest, informed that this plantation drive is being conducted all over India to raise awareness among the farmers regarding the plantation of trees on the bunds with the theme “Har Medh Par Pedh” – Tree Planting with Agricultural Crops.
This drive is conducted to ensure multipurpose tree species with short, medium and long term returns be planted, so that farmers may get additional income at regular intervals. These can include fruits, fodder, medicinal, timber & aromatic tree species. Prof. Bikram singh, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-Jammu, Guest of Honour, while addressing the farmers said that this initiative can play an important role in Doubling Farmers income.
Dr. Punit Choudhary, Sr. Scientist and Head, KVK Jammu, in his address welcomed all the dignitaries present on the stage and farmers, and in opening remarks he highlighted the need of tree plantation on farm land “Har Medh Par Ped”, along with crops/ cropping system at the bunds and boundaries of farms. He also apprised the gathering regarding the main slogan of the programme “Ped Lagayein Duniya Bachayein, Apna Kartavya Nibbhayein”. The programme was attended by large gathering of Farmers/Farm Women/Rural Youth and SHG Ummeed from Balachak and Premachak and adjoining villages. Prof. S. K. Gupta, Agroforestry and Controller of Examination, Skuast-Jammu, explained that this mission of ‘Har Med Pe Ped’ is a Sub-mission on Agroforestory under NMSA and its main objective is to cover the Bunds and Boundaries of the fields under the medicinal, forest, fodder and fruit plants. Dr. L. M. Gupta, Head, Division of Agroforestory, explained the importance of plantation drive to the farmers of the village. He also stressed on the need to plant more trees so that farmers need for fodder can also be met by planting trees on the boundaries of the field. Prof. K.K. Sood, Division of Agroforestory and Dr. Sandeep Seghal, Incharge AICRP on Agroforestry, also put forward their good views on the plantation drive. More than 300 plants of Neem, Ashoka, Aonla and Dhrenk were distributed among the farmers. Programme begun with the planting of sapling by Chief Guest, Prof. S. K. Gupta, Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu and other Dignitaries.
A Kissan Ghosthi cum interactive session on the theme, “ Ped Lagayein Duniya Bachayein, Apna Kartavya Nibbhayein” was chaired by Sr. Scientist and Head KVK Jammu and Dr. Prem Kumar, Dr. Amitesh Sharma, Dr. Muneeshwar Sharma, Ashish Katoch, Satvir Singh.
Programme concluded with vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sheetal Badyal, SMS Home Science, KVK Jammu.
