National Centre of Organic Farming, Ghaziabad, is organizing 30- day certificate course on organic farming, in collaboration with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu.
The programme, sponsored by Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, was inaugurated by Dr K S Risam, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Jammu, here today.
The Vice Chancellor welcomed the initiative of National Centre of Organic Farming to organise such courses for enhancing knowledge of stakeholders on different aspects of organic farming. He focussed on ill effects of non-judicious application of chemicals in agriculture and highlighted the need for adopting organic farming for sustainable future.
Dr Risam also emphasized upon the better implementation of Government schemes related to popularization of organic farming such as Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY). He informed that special attention was made to select such rural youths in the thirty days certificate course who shall be involved in organic farming under PKVY scheme to be implemented by Krishi Vigyan Kendras of SKUAST-Jammu. He offered full support of the university to National Centre of Organic Farming for organising such programmes to achieve greater benefits for rural community and farmers of Jammu region.
Earlier, Dr Shahina Tabassum, Jr Scientific Officer, NCOF, Ghaziabad elaborated the rationale behind selecting SKUAST-Jammu for organising the certificate course. Deliberating upon the course content of the programme, she highlighted the role of National Centre of Organic Farming, Ghaziabad in creating awareness on organic farming, especially in Northern India.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vikas Sharma, Professor & Head, Division of Agronomy, FOA, Chatha, highlighted the activities of Organic Farming Research Centre (OFRC) of the University and informed about the technologies available for application under organic agriculture for sustaining productivity and profit. Dr Bharat Bhushan, Joint Registrar, SKUAST-J expressed his concerns over non-adoption of organic concepts and focussed on extension interventions for expanding the concept.
More than 30 participants, including rural and urban youths have been enrolled for the certificate course on organic farming. Dr Pawan Kumar Sharma, Scientist (Agricultural Economics), KVK Kathua conducted the proceedings and presented vote of thanks.
Source ( Daily Excelsior )