RAMBAN: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu), organised a one-day capacity building programme at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Ramban on “Organic and Natural Farming Practices for Soil Health Management” under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Project No. 16, titled “Alternate Agriculture Systems for Sustainability” in Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme was organised under the leadership of Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, Prof. B. N. Tripathi and the guidance of Director Research, Dr. S. K. Gupta and Director Extension, Dr. Amrish Vaid. As many as 20 officers and officials from the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments were sensitised about organic and natural farming techniques, alternate agricultural systems and sustainable practices to improve soil fertility, soil health and farm productivity.
At the outset, Chief Scientist and Head, KVK Ramban, Dr. Raj Kumar Gupta welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of natural farming in promoting sustainable agricultural systems and improving soil health under HADP Project No. 16.
District Agriculture Officer, Kuldeep Bassan and Subject Matter Specialist (DL), Jyoti Parkash Sharma from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, briefed the participants on the agricultural scenario of district Ramban and the organic and natural farming clusters in the district.
Professor and Principal Investigator of HADP Project No. 16, Dr. Balbir Dhotra, emphasised the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and encouraged participants to disseminate scientific technologies at the grassroots level. He highlighted the role of organic inputs, resource conservation and eco-friendly farming methods in improving soil health, enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring long-term sustainability.

