RAJOURI: Farmers of village Sawari of Kotranka block were today sensitized about Agromet Advisory Services by Sher e Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu at a programme organised here under Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme of India Metrological Department (IMD). The programme was conducted under the aegis of Vice Chancellor SKUAST Jammu, Dr. B. N. Tripathi and guidance of Dr. Sushil Kumar Gupta, Director Research, SKUAST Jammu.
The main objective of the programme was to help the farmers of remote villages of Rajouri to manage weather related uncertainties in day to day agricultural activities. Chief Scientist and Incharge RARS Rajouri Dr. Vikas Sharma sensitized the farmers about the importance of Agromet Advisory Services as agriculture is dependent on weather patterns. He also stressed on the need to upgrade the conventional way of farming in the context of climate change. He advised farmers to adopt climate resilient, economically beneficial crops and use natural resources for better management.
Technical Officer GKMS Dr. Rohit Sharma advised farmers to make more and more utilization of GKMS services and motivated them to take maximum benefit from this programme. Farmers were also imparted training on ‘Meghdoot’ a mobile app launched by MoES, New Delhi that will provide location and crop and livestock- specific weather based agro advisories to farmers in local languages.
This app was installed in the android mobile phones of the farmers. Chief Scientist, KVK –Rajouri Dr. Suraj Parkash interacted with the farmers and provided the information regarding scientific research and new knowledge in agricultural practices. On this occasion, a video message of Nodal Officer, GKMS, Dr. Mahender Singh was also shared with farmers who had briefed about the usefulness of Agromet Advisory Bulletins and MEGHDOOT App.
As a part of the programme, a farmers-scientist interaction session was held where issues and problems faced by farmers were raised and the experts suggested relevant solutions for these problems as well. Lokesh Sharma, Agromet Observer also presented an awareness lecture among the farmers.
