Almora: The Department of Agriculture, Almora, launched the “Save Farming Campaign” at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Matela, with the objective of strengthening mountain agriculture and promoting sustainable farming practices among farmers. The inaugural programme brought together agricultural scientists, government officials, extension experts and farmers to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing hill agriculture.
The programme was chaired by progressive farmer Mrs. Tara Devi of Ujiyari village, while Dr. Lakshmi Kant, Director of ICAR–Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS), Almora, attended as the Chief Guest.
Welcoming the participants, Chief Agriculture Officer Mr. Anand Giri highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among government departments, research institutions and farmers for the overall development of mountain agriculture. He stated that the “Save Farming Campaign” aims to promote soil and water conservation, sustainable resource management and scientific farming practices across the district.
Dr. C. Tiwari, Programme Coordinator of KVK Almora, presented the framework of the campaign and identified soil erosion as one of the most serious challenges affecting agriculture in hilly regions. He urged farmers to adopt soil and water conservation measures on sloping lands, return crop residues and organic matter to the soil, and promote integrated farming systems to enhance productivity and long-term sustainability.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Dr. Lakshmi Kant stressed the importance of balanced and scientific nutrient management. He advised farmers to use fertilizers based on soil testing recommendations and encouraged a balanced combination of organic and chemical fertilizers. According to him, such an approach can reduce production costs, improve crop yields and maintain soil health.
During the technical session, scientist Dr. Nirmal Hedau shared practical strategies for managing Kurmula pests, which are a major concern in hill agriculture. He emphasized timely ploughing, crop rotation, biological control methods and integrated pest management practices to minimize crop losses and improve farm productivity.
Following the seminar, participants were taken on a field visit to a natural farming demonstration plot, where they received detailed information about natural farming techniques and their benefits. Farmers interacted with experts and gained firsthand knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices.
More than 54 farmers from different villages and 33 scientists and officials participated in the programme. Farmers appreciated the scientific information shared on soil conservation, fertilizer management and pest control, describing it as highly useful for improving agricultural productivity.
The programme concluded with a collective commitment from farmers, scientists and officials to actively support the activities proposed under the “Save Farming Campaign” and work together for the sustainable development of hill agriculture in the region.
