Relevance of research only when technologies reach farmers: Dr Chauhan,,

Aslam kohra Pantnagar

Five-day training on agricultural technology transfer begins at Pantnagar

Pantnagar. G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Vice-Chancellor Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan has said that agricultural research is truly meaningful only when the technologies developed in laboratories reach farmers’ fields in a practical form. He was addressing the inaugural session of a training programme on “Role of motivation and communication in technology transfer” organised at the Directorate of Extension under the joint aegis of SAMETI–Uttarakhand and the Institute of Extension Education, Nilokheri (Haryana), where he attended as the chief guest.Dr Chauhan called upon the trainees to take the technologies developed by Pantnagar University to farmers’ doorsteps and play an important role in enhancing their income. He said agricultural technologies are changing rapidly, therefore extension strategies also need to be updated accordingly. For this, it is necessary to rise above traditional mindsets and bring about changes both in the methods and approach of working with farmers. He pointed out that even 25 years after the formation of Uttarakhand, old techniques are still being used in many areas.The Vice-Chancellor underlined that technology transfer cannot be effective without reducing the gap between the scientific community and farmers. He stressed that extension work must be linked with livelihood enhancement and entrepreneurship development to make farmers self-reliant.Joint Director, Agriculture (Kumaon Division) Dr P.K. Singh appealed to officials to make every effort to take various government schemes and departmental programmes to the farming community. Director, Extension Education, Dr Jitendra Quatra urged extension personnel to implement schemes and programmes of the central and state governments effectively at the grassroots level.Training coordinator Dr B.D. Singh and course director Dr S.R. Verma said such training programmes are essential for accelerating agricultural technology transfer. A total of 35 middle-level extension personnel from all districts of Uttarakhand are participating in this five-day training. Subject-matter specialists, resource persons and faculty members were also present. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Jyoti Kanwal from the Directorate of Extension Education.