Experts lay stress on post-production crop management to increase farmers’ income

National Seminar on Doubling Income through Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture begins at UHF A three-day ‘National Seminar on Doubling Income through Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (DISHA)’ commenced today at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni. The seminar is being jointly organized by the Society for Advancement of Human and Nature (SADHNA), Solan and UHF Nauni with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla as technical collaborators of the event. Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Dr SK Chakrabarti, Director CPRI Shimla called for the sincere involvement of all stakeholders to achieve the goal set for doubling farmers income and the need for developing sustainable means of agriculture. Dr Chakrabarti said, “There is a huge gap in the area of post-production management of the crop which can help to minimize the losses and maximize the profits. A proper strategy should be prepared to improve the extension technology and service through which the latest technology and know-how can be passed on the farmers.” He added that even though the country has become self-sufficient in producing food but more efforts were needed to ensure that the farmers get adequate remuneration for their produce. Dr JN Sharma, Director Research of the university, explained the general scenario of the agricultural sector in the country. He explained how the income in all sectors had seen a significant increase since independence but the increase in the agricultural sector was very less as compared to other fields. Explaining the importance of post-harvest technology, Dr Sharma said that on an average, 20-25 per cent of the agricultural produce is lost due to the gap in the post-harvest technology. Stressing on the need for greater R&D in the sector, Dr Sharma said that there was great scope for diversification and increasing crop intensity. The experts were of the view that the strength of Himachal was the production of fruit and off-season vegetables which is sent to every part of the country. If this area is properly tapped the goal of doubling farmers’ income in the state can be achieved or even surpassed. Earlier, Chairman of the Seminar and Dean College of Horticulture Dr Rakesh Gupta gave a background about SADHNA and the activities carried out by the society. He informed that the seminar aims to put the focus on the sustainable enhancement of productivity and economics of agriculture. He added that through various technical sessions, it will lay emphasis on the socio-economic issues related to agriculture, livelihood of the peasantry, resource-use efficiency, abiotic and biotic stress factors, ethnic knowledge, climate change and global warming and sustainable management. The souvenir of the seminar was also released on the occasion. The annual SADHNA research awards in various categories were also presented to researchers during the event. During the next two days scientists and experts will share their research under the following thematic areas: Intensification and Diversification in Agriculture for Higher Income, Integrated Production and Protection of Crops, Organic Agriculture, Forest and Natural Resource Management, Post-harvest Management, Processing and Marketing of Produce, Animal Husbandry, Fishery and Wildlife Management, Rural Sociology and Economy and Extension and Support Services Over 200 scientists and experts from across the country including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal and the northeastern region of the country, Dr PK Mahajan, Dean College of Forestry, Dr YC Gupta, Dean College of Horticulture Thunag, HM Verma, Comptroller, Dr JK Dubey, Editor IJFS and Heads of Department and scientists also attended the event.