SHIMLA: Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today said Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni would be developed as a Center for Training in Natural Farming.
Inaugurating the lackluster Apple Fair due to ongoing apple farmers agitation at Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station (RHR&TS), Mashobra, Governor observed different varieties of apple displayed in the Field Gene Bank collection of apple varieties.
But the apple varieties lack "shine, shape and size and colour" and many have russeting and spots as not many growers show the interest in the apple fair.
Governor also visited high density apple production technology demonstration farm and apple orchard developed under natural farming. He also inaugurated the medicinal garden in the center and planted a sapling of absinthe (Chirayata).
Addressing the Kisan Mela, the Governor said Horticulture University, Nauni would be developed as a training center for natural farming, where farmers and orchardists not only from the State but from all over the country could get training.
He said that the farmers who were adopting natural farming were setting an example for others. These farmers have shown the direction to the country and Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Himachal in his speeches because of these farmers, he added.
The Governor asked to increase the number of farmers and orchardists in natural farming. He said that these farmers were leading the nation and their efforts were in the interest of the country.
He added that we could proudly say that we have given direction to the country in the field of natural farming during Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
Rakesh Kanwar , Secretary Agriculture Subhash Palekar Natural Farming, implemented by the State Government, was a program to be adopted voluntarily by the horticulturists.
He said that through it an alternative practice has been given to the farmers. The focus was on production and productivity as well as on the healthy products to the consumers.
He said that our climate was affected due to excessive use of chemicals in the field.
Earlier, Prof. Rajeshwar Singh Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni saic it would be his endeavor that the 'Package of Practice' of natural farming was available to the horticulturists at the Regional Horticultural Research and Training Center, Mashobra itself.
Dr. Dinesh Thakur, Associate Director, Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station Mashobra presented a vote of thanks.
Secretary Horticulture Amitabh Awasthi, Secretary to Governor Rajesh Sharma, Director Research Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Chouhan, officers of Horticulture and Agriculture Department, farmers and orchardists from different districts and other prominent people were also present on the occasion.
