Kupwara : The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Thursday organised an outreach programme on eco-friendly pest management at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kupwara, aimed at promoting sustainable agricultural practices among tribal farmers.
The programme was conducted under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Biological Control of Crop Pests (AICRP-BC), Division of Entomology, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K Shalimar, with support from the ICAR–National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources, Bengaluru.
Director Extension, SKUAST-K, Prof. Rahiaina Habib Kanth, who was the chief guest on the occasion, highlighted the importance of environmentally safe and sustainable pest management practices in enhancing crop productivity and ensuring long-term soil health.
Dr. Akhtar Ali Khan, Professor and Head, Division of Entomology, and Dr. G. M. Bhat, Professor and Head, KVK Kupwara, also addressed the gathering. They urged farmers to adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, emphasising their role in reducing dependence on chemical pesticides while improving crop quality.
During the technical sessions, Dr. Sajad Mohi-ud-Din, Principal Investigator, and Dr.MudasirGani, Co-Principal Investigator, shared detailed insights into pest management strategies for key crops, including pulses, maize, and apple. The experts stressed the adoption of biological control methods as a sustainable alternative to conventional practices.
As part of the Tribal Sub-Plan initiative of ICAR-NBAIR, essential agricultural inputs, including rajmash seeds, vermicompost, pheromone traps, and neem oil, were distributed among participating tribal farmers to support eco-friendly farming practices.
The programme concluded with an interactive session, during which farmers shared their experiences and appreciated the efforts of SKUAST-K in promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible agriculture in the region.
