Take research from Lab to field: IPH Minister

Vice Chancellors Conference Gets Underway at UHF Nauni

The Irrigation and Public Health and Horticulture Minister Mahender Singh Thakur today urged the agricultural scientists to take their research and knowledge to the field so that the farmers could benefit from the latest technology. The minister was addressing the Vice-Chancellors, scientists and students at the 9th Brain Storming Session-cum-Vice-Chancellors Conference at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF) Nauni.
The conference is being held under the aegis of the New Delhi based Indian Agricultural Universities Association (IAUA). The theme for the conference is ‘Alternative Farming Systems Involving Horticulture to Increase Crop Productivity and Doubling Farmers’ Income’. The Vice-Chancellors of 22 agriculture and horticulture universities are taking part in the two-day event. Suresh Kashyap, MLA from Pachhad constituency also attended the event.
While addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest said that there is a lot of possibility of growing different crops and fruits in Himachal due to its various agro-climatic zones. He added that there was a huge scope of growing other fruits along with apple.
“The state has lot of scope for vegetable and cash crops cultivation which can help it to become a leading state in this field in the country. For this we have to not only educate the farmers, but also provide timely quality seeds and planting material to them”, added Thakur.
He asked the scientists to develop a project, which caters to developing agriculture and horticulture activities in the state keeping in view the changing climatic conditions. He further added that the snow and rain in the state was falling year by year, which is a concern for all especially the farming community. Thakur asked the agri-scientists to study these changes and develop strategies which can help to counter these problems.
UHF Vice-Chancellor Dr HC Sharma welcomed all the guests and gave a summary of the activities of the university.
“The Hon’ble Prime Minister has called upon the scientists and policymakers to double the farmers’ income by 2022 and this Brain Storming session will go a long way in developing the strategies for doubling the farmers’ income in India”, said Dr Sharma.
Dr NC Patel, President of the IAUA also addressed the gathering and shared the activities of the association and the challenges and opportunities for the agriculture sector.
Earlier in the day, the Horticulture Minister laid the foundation stone of the UHF Sale Center and HPMC Sale Counter, which is to be established at the university with a cost of Rs. 15 lakh. He also laid the foundation stone for the Rs. 1.5 crores Nature Interpretation-cum-Training Center and Apiculture lab. The lab is being set up under the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development Project and will facilitate the rearing of bumblebees.
During the two days, five technical sessions and a plenary session will be held. Deliberations on topics like Mechanization and High-Density Plantation, Biotechnological Approaches and Cultivar Development, Integrated Farming Systems and Marketing, Nutrient and Pest Management in Horticultural Systems and Natural/ Organic Farming for Sustainable Crop Production will be taken up for discussion.