Over 600 farmers attend Kisan Mela at Manpura

There is an urgent need to address the issue of water conservation and make efforts to make it a mass movement so that adequate water can be conserved for the present and future generations. These views were expressed by experts during the Kisan Mela organized by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni. The event was organized under the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan of the Union Government to create awareness about water conservation and judicious use of water.  

Dr Parvinder Kaushal, UHF Vice-Chancellor was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Dr Rakesh Gupta, Director Extension Education of the university, Soumya Jha, Central Observer of the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan, BDO Nalagarh, who is the nodal officer of the Jal Shakti Abhiyaan in Nalagarh and over 600 farmers from different panchayats attended the event. Besides line officers from the horticulture and agriculture departments, ACF Nalagarh, scientists from KVK Solan and various departments of the university were also present. 

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Kaushal, UHF Vice-Chancellor said that Nalagarh was one of the stressed blocks recognized under Jal Shakti Abhiyaan where there is high pressure on water resources. Citing examples of countries and cities suffering from severe water crisis, Dr Kaushal said that it was important to understand the gravity of the situation and work towards its mitigation. He said every person, right from a child to an elderly, must become an active contributor in this process of water conservation.

He laid special importance on educating women on this issue as they can further help to educate families and create awareness about this urgent issue, which requires everyone’s attention and support. Dr Kaushal also urged the women participants to form self-help groups, which can be provided training  by the university in water conservation. 

 Calling for ‘Per drop- more crop, the experts from the university exhorted the farmers to adopt modern precision farming techniques to utilize less water for producing more food.  The five aspects of Jal Shakti Abhiyan - water conservation and rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional and other water bodies, reuse of water and recharging of structures, watershed development, and intensive afforestation were also explained in detail at the event.

The participants were also apprised about the various schemes of the agriculture and horticulture department for water conservation. Several technical lectures on strategies and methods for water conservation, precision irrigation and cultivation of prospective fruit for lower areas. An exhibition on fruits, vegetables and flowers, soil and water conservation, food science and technology, forest products, entomology and plant pathology was also displayed. A farmer scientist interaction was also held at the event where the scientists addressed the problems faced by the farmers. The KVK and the university will also be holding tomato day and farmer scientist interaction at Ramshehar on Wednesday.