Kisan Mela at KVK Shimla Highlights Scope of Medicinal Plants for Farmers
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Shimla, under the aegis of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, in collaboration with the Himalayan Forest Research Institute (HFRI), Shimla, organized a Kisan Mela at Rohru. The event was graced by Rohru MLA Mohan Lal Bragta as the Chief Guest, while Padma Shri awardee Nek Ram Sharma was the Guest of Honour.
The mela focused on promoting the cultivation of medicinal and forestry plants, which hold immense environmental, health and economic value. More than 215 farmers from across Shimla district participated in the event.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Inder Dev, Director of Extension Education, highlighted the university’s outreach initiatives and urged farmers to strengthen their collaboration with the university’s research centres and KVKs to further advance horticulture and agriculture in the region.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Mohan Lal Bragta emphasized that “Natural farming is no longer an option but a necessity.” He said the state government is ensuring fair prices for natural farming produce to promote its wider adoption. He also advised farmers to adopt the university’s scientific recommendations for crop management to minimize losses. Guest of Honour Padma Shri Nek Ram Sharma spoke on the importance of natural farming and millet cultivation. He underlined the health benefits of millets and encouraged farmers to promote natural farming practices among younger generations.
HFRI Director Dr. Sandeep Sharma elaborated on the future potential of medicinal plants and urged farmers to adopt crop diversification through their cultivation while conserving the region’s rich forest wealth. He noted that investing in cultivation of medicinal plants today would bring substantial profits in the future.
Highlighting the importance of farmer–scientist collaboration, UHF Director of Research Dr. Sanjeev Chauhan stressed the need for climate-resilient farming practices and called upon scientists to maintain regular interaction with farmers. Citing this year’s outbreak of leaf-related diseases in apple orchards, he pointed out that farmers who followed university recommendations reported very less damage to their crops. On the occasion, Dr. Ashwini Katwal discussed the adverse impacts of chemical farming and the challenges it poses. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Usha Sharma, In-charge of KVK Shimla, who said that similar awareness programmes would be organized regularly to benefit farmers.
As part of the event, exhibitions were showcased by the Horticulture Department, HFRI, and local Self-Help Groups. The programme also witnessed the presence of Rohru Farmers Advisory Committee Chairman Sohan Lal Chauhan, along with scientists from KVK Shimla.
