‘Promote organic farming and foods for healthy life’

ZT NEWS NETWORK

Srinagar: A day long training program on Organic Farming was held at Agriculture Complex Lalmandi, the program was organized by Joint Directorate of Agriculture Extension Kashmir.
The training camp was inaugurated by Director Agriculture Kashmir Altaf Aijaz Andrabi. While reiterating the importance regarding organic farming Director said “Organic farming will be the future trend and this trend will be from Kashmir”. Director in a message to masses said consume organic foods and promote organic farming.

Andrabi said, organic farming is being acknowledged as crop production system which can sustain health of soils, eco system and people by combining tradition, innovation and improved farm technology. He said organic farming can provide employment opportunities for rural populace.

Regarding overall demand of organic products he added that food quality and safety are the two important factors that have gained increasing attention in general consumers likewise the demand for organically grown foods has increased during the last decade due to health benefits and food safety concerns. Organic farming protects environment and has a greater socio economic impact on the nation.

While highlighting the importance of organizing training programmes on organic farming Andrabi said that such programs will acquaint the officers of the department regarding the parameters to be taken for consideration for implementing the organic cultivation programs and more and more area of Kashmir Division will be earmarked for adoption of organic farming in near future.
The training program was attended by Joint Director Agriculture Extension Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, Joint Director Engineering, M.I.Khatteeb , Project Coordinator Mushrooms Farrooq Ahmad Shah, Director Rakhs and Farms Subash Chander Sharrma, Senior Entomologist SPEDA Dr.M.A.AnsarAli, senior officers and field level officers of the department.

Joint Director Agriculture Extension while giving the brief about the training program said that the training program has been devised in such a way that the officers are acquainted with the latest trends regarding organic farming which include prospective organic farming culture in India, preparation of organic fertilizers, practices in organic farming. He said that such programs will be organized for every field functionary of the Department so that the expertise and operational management of the field staff is enhanced