Baramulla, June 05, 2025 – As part of the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, expert teams from ICAR-CITH and KVK Baramulla, in collaboration with allied government departments, successfully organized farmer outreach programs across nine villages in various blocks of Baramulla district.
Technical Guidance on Crop Protection
Dr. Neeraj, Subject Matter Specialist in Plant Protection at ICAR-CITH, addressed key challenges in apple and cherry cultivation, focusing on integrated pest and disease management. He provided practical solutions for leaf blotch and aphid infestations in apple crops, as well as blast and brown spot diseases in rice, equipping farmers with effective control strategies.
Awareness on Government Schemes and Farm Mechanization
Mr. Vishal Vihan, Subject Matter Specialist in Agricultural Extension, educated farmers about vital government initiatives, including:
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
PM-KISAN Soil Health Card Scheme
He also explained the benefits of Custom Hiring Centres, which promote farm mechanization and help reduce input costs.
Agromet Advisory for Climate-Resilient Farming
Mr. Karan Chhabra, Subject Matter Specialist in Agrometeorology, conducted interactive sessions on the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme, a joint initiative by IMD and ICAR. He highlighted the services of the District Agromet Unit at KVK Baramulla, which provides hyper-local weather advisories to help farmers:
Optimize sowing and harvesting schedules
Mitigate weather-related risks, such as hail damage in apple orchards. Utilize crop weather insurance for financial security
Expanding Reach in Uri Block
Today’s sessions were held in Uri, benefiting farmers from Thajal, Nambla, and Mohra villages. The Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan will continue its outreach until June 12, 2025, with more programs planned across the district to empower farmers with science-led solutions.
Among these KVK teams, one is led by Dr. Wasim Hassan Raja, Head of ICAR-CITH KVK Baramulla, another by Dr. Shoaib Nissar Kirmani, Subject Matter Specialist in Horticulture, and a third by Shri Vishal Vihan, Subject Matter Specialist in Agricultural Extension.
