 Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 17: Senior officials from the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) met with Director of Agriculture Jammu, S. Arvinder Singh Reen, to strengthen plant health initiatives in the region. The delegation included Dr. Pia Ellison (Program Support Manager, PLANTWISEPLUS, CABI Switzerland), Dr. Vinod Pandit (Regional Director South Asia, CABI), and Dr. Manju Thakur (Crop Health Advisor, CABI). Discussions focused on improving Plant Health Clinics, enhancing pest surveillance, and advancing pest management practices in Jammu. Director Reen emphasized the importance of educating pesticide dealers and farmers through comprehensive awareness campaigns, fostering collaboration between Plant Health Clinics and pesticide dealers, and promoting bio-control methods to maintain ecological balance. Dr. Ellison highlighted CABI’s role in promoting sustainable plant health practices and reducing pesticide use to meet international export standards. She advocated for transitioning to climate-smart practices to ensure safer food and local production of plant protection products. The meeting also reviewed the Agriculture Department’s efforts in implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, training plant doctors, and adopting real-time data-sharing techniques.
As part of her visit, Dr. Ellison inspected the Plant Health Clinic at Krishi Bhawan Talab Tillo and other clinics in Vijaypur, District Samba, to assess their impact on the region’s agriculture. Key officials, including Joint Director Agriculture Extension/SLUB Shri Satish Sharma, Agriculture Chemist Dr. Aman Jyoti Sharma, and SMS Arun Khajuria, participated in the meeting alongside other officers from the Agriculture Department. |
