Early Times Report
RAMBAN, Apr 18: As the Kharif season approaches, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Ramban, under the aegis of SKUAST-Jammu, organized a specialized training session for farmers on the scientific cultivation of maize, a major Kharif crop in the district.
Dr. Parveen Kumar, Subject Matter Specialist (Agri. Extension) at KVK-Ramban, highlighted the importance of such trainings, especially in a district like Ramban where over 90 percent of the agricultural area is rainfed and heavily dependent on timely monsoons. He noted that the previous year saw farmers resorting to repeated sowing of maize due to erratic rainfall, which, combined with traditional and unscientific practices, severely hampered production.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Kumar provided detailed insights into the use of high-yielding and hybrid maize varieties and encouraged farmers to shift away from outdated, low-yielding local strains. The training session focused on critical aspects of maize cultivation including:
Proper field preparation
Line sowing techniques with appropriate depth and spacing
Seed treatment and fertilizer management
Adequate drainage and irrigation schedules
Intercultural operations
Pest and disease management
Farmers were also advised on the benefits of intercropping maize with vegetables, such as cucumber, to optimize land use and increase income.
The session saw active participation and engagement from the farming community, who raised several practical queries that were addressed by the experts. This training program is part of a broader series of capacity-building initiatives regularly conducted by KVK-Ramban to upgrade the skills and knowledge base of local farmers.
KVK-Ramban operates under the dynamic leadership of Prof. B. N. Tripathi, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, and Prof. Amrish Vaid, Director Extension, with a consistent focus on uplifting the rural agrarian economy through scientific interventions and farmer education. |
