Udhampur | : A two-day Farmers’ Awareness & IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Training Programme was inaugurated Tuesday at Mand East Panchayat (Udhampur District) under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India. The programme is being conducted by the Central Integrated Pest Management Centre Jammu.
Vice Chairperson District Development Council Udhampur Juhi Manhas Pathania graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Addressing the farmers, she highlighted the importance of awareness, training and adoption of innovative techniques for sustainable agriculture. She said that empowering farmers through knowledge-sharing and modern interventions remains her foremost priority as agriculture continues to be the backbone of the rural economy.
Vice Chairperson Pathania assured that the District Development Council is committed to address the challenges faced by the farming community by expanding irrigation network, farm mechanization and access to government schemes. She emphasized that enhanced productivity, environmental protection and economic self-reliance can go hand in hand if farmers adopt Integrated Pest Management practices and sustainable methods.
The programme also witnessed the participation of Dr. Mithilesh Arya, Deputy Director, who educated farmers on pest management, scientific cultivation techniques and available government schemes for farmer welfare.
Prominent PRI members and locals including ex/Sarpanch Aarti Sharma, Balwan, Ashok, Som Raj, Darbari Lal Seth, Manohar Lal Seth, Ashok Seth, Sunil Khajuria, Pushpa Devi, Lalita Devi and Anita Devi attended the event along with a large number of farmers.
Later, the Vice Chairperson along with PRI members, school staff, and students participated in a plantation drive at Middle School Mand, ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ spreading a message of environmental conservation and sustainable growth.
Pathania concluded her address by reaffirming her vision of “prosperous farmers, empowered villages and a green Udhampur.”
