ICAR-VPKAS Almora Conducted a five-day Training Program (22nd to 26th July) on Protected Cultivation for Enhanced Agricultural Benefits under SCSP programme

ICAR-Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS), Almora, successfully conducted a five-days training program on “Protected Cultivation for Enhanced Agricultural Benefits” under the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP) scheme to the farmers of the village Pandechor Alchona of district Nainital. The program, held from 22nd to 26th July 2024, aimed at equipping farmers with advanced techniques and knowledge to maximize agricultural productivity through protected cultivation methods. The inaugural commenced on 22nd July 2024, with the registration and orientation of participants.  Dr. Lakshmi Kant, Director of ICAR-VPKAS, Almora, inaugurated the event and highlighted the institute's contributions to the holistic development of Hill agriculture in the region through protected cultivation. He insisted the farmers to utilize off season vegetable cultivation to gain maximum monetary benefit from per unit area. The program addressed by Head of the Divisions. The head, Crop Improvement Division, Dr N K Hedau,vegetable scientist, shared his extensive knowledge on vegetable production under protected cultivation and its crucial role in farmers income augmentation. Dr. K.K. Mishra, an expert in plant disease management and mushroom production in hill agriculture, provided valuable insights into effective crop pest and disease management strategies for yield maximization under protected cultivation. Dr. B M Pandey, Head, Crop Production Division discussed the crop production practices, water harvesting techniques for better resource utilization and soil health maintenance and yield augmentation. The Dr Gaurav Verma, Nodal Officer SCSP, encouraged farmers to learn and adopt scientific practices of crop production under polyhouse and marketing to achieve best price of the product. The program included the insightful sessions on various aspects of Protected Cultivation including vegetable production, soil health management, use of biofertilizer, use of machinery to reduce drudgery, irrigation management, benefits of food producing organization, crop pest, diseases and nematode management followed by field exposure of institute adopted village Uderkhani Bagheshwar, Practical demonstrations and interactive discussions enriched the learning experience for the participants. The exposure visit provided practical insights into successful protected cultivation practices. The final day featured a feedback session, where participants shared their experiences and learnings. A scientific dialogue involving all resource persons was conducted, followed by the valedictory function and certificate distribution by Dr. Lakshmi Kant, Director of ICAR-VPKAS, Almora, The head, Crop Improvement Division, Dr N K Hedau, Dr. B M Pandey, Head, Crop Production Division, The Dr Gaurav Verma, Nodal Officer SCSP and Dr Ashish Kumar Singh, Scientist (Nematology) and Coordinator of the training programme. The five-day training program concluded with a closing ceremony, emphasizing the significance of protected cultivation in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability. The training programme were coordinated by Dr NK Hedau, Dr KK Mishra, Dr Ashish Kumar Singh.