Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, May, 24
Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary, today launched e-Plant clinics in 5 uncovered districts of Jammu division.
He formally launched these e-clinics in Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi and Poonch by handing over the USB microscopes and other related material to concerned Chief Agriculture Officer. He outlined that this step will pave way to mitigate the insect pests, disease and deficiency problems of various agricultural crops. Meanwhile, Principal Secretary inaugurated an outdoor LED Display Screen in the premises of Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo besides launching JMU KHETI Brand.
Principal Secretary, while speaking on the occasion, said that this initiative taken by Agriculture Production Department will aid in educating the visiting farmers regarding various farmer friendly schemes and latest technological interventions in the field using audio visual mode. He suggested uploading the daily subject wise display schedule on the departmental website so the farmers can attend the programme according to their need.
Director Agriculture Jammu, K. K. Sharma, informed that the department is operating 40 e-plant clinics in ten districts of Jammu division in coordination with main Plant Health Clinic, Directorate of Agriculture Jammu for technical back up. 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.
Dr Vinod Pandit, Programme Leader, CABI, South Asia told that Plant clinics work on different aspects of the pest management including data collection, online validation, analysis and recommendations to the farmers through SMS.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary formally launched the Brand ‘JMU KHETI’ under Project Brand promotion of area specific crops of hills of Jammu division.
The officers apprised the Principal Secretary that area specific products like Saffron, Guchi, Honey, Rajmash, Anardana, Kala Zeera, Turmeric etc will be provided bar coding after quality check by FASSI and ultimately linked with the big commercial stores and food chains for better marketing.
Principal Secretary directed the concerned to promote more brands on similar lines based upon product type like dairy, horticultural crops, vegetables etc. Those present on the occasion were Director Horticulture Jammu, Ram Savak, Joint Director (Inputs), B. D. Sharma, Joint Director (Farms), Rajinder Sharma, Joint Director (Mushroom & Apiculture Development), Iqbal Singh, Deputy Director Agriculture ( Central), Plant Protection Officer, Agronomist Vegetable, Deputy Director Trainings, Chief Agriculture officers of all districts besides other senior officers.
