POONCH, MARCH 07: A group of 50 farmers of Poonch District was on Monday flagged off for 5 day Krishi Mela being held at SKUAST- Jammu.
The farmers drawn from Poonch, besides Surankote and Mendher Sub Divisions were flagged off by District Development Commissioner, Inderjeet.
The Krishi Mela is being organised by SKUAST-Jammu in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Jammu.
The DDC, while interacting with the farmers, exhorted upon them to learn the latest innovations in Integrated Farming System comprising Crop Production, Vegetable Cultivation, Mushroom growing, Bee Keeping, Vermi Composting and cultivation of Spices especially Garlic. He also impressed upon the farmers to interact with the Farm Scientists & Research workers to know & learn about the latest methodology of crops. He further advised them to learn about the latest techniques and tools displayed in the Krishi Mela for the Farming in hilly areas.
Chief Agriculture Officer, Rakesh Kumar Sharma apprised the District Development Commissioner about the initiatives taken by the Department for doubling the income of the farmers. He said the department has introduced Mushroom cultivation especially in the mono cropped areas of the District as the same will fetch the farmers handsome returns of the cash crop that too in the off season.
District Agriculture Officer (Ext) Poonch, Assistant Soil Chemist Poonch, Sub Divisional Agriculture Officer Poonch & other Field Officers of the deptt. were also present on the occasion.