75 Ladakh Farmers from three districts visit farms, KVK, CAZRI to learn improved farming practices

LEH: The Agriculture Department of the Union Territory of Ladakh has taken 75 farmers from Leh, Sham and Changthang districts on an exposure visit to departmental farms and agricultural research institutions to familiarise them with improved farming practices and technologies suited to the region.

The farmers, with 25 participants from each of the three districts, were accompanied by Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer, Leh, Mohd Ramzan, and field staff from the three districts.

The exposure tour covered Ghophuks Vegetable Farm and Balam Vegetable Farm besides the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), before concluding at the Floriculture Farm in Thiksey.

The programme was organised with an emphasis on technological dissemination, skill enhancement, cross-regional learning and practical learning through direct observation.

During the visit, farmers from different villages of Sham district and the sub-divisions of Nyoma and Kharu had the opportunity to observe farming practices and technologies at demonstration farms and agricultural institutions and interact with experts and practitioners.

The department said the exposure was intended to improve farmers’ knowledge, encourage adoption of improved agricultural practices and promote sustainable and innovative farming techniques in Ladakh.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of ongoing agricultural outreach in Ladakh, where departmental programmes have increasingly focused on soil health, sustainable cultivation, natural farming and improved crop management. Earlier programmes conducted in the region have also involved farmer interactions with scientists and demonstrations of farming practices and technologies.

The Agriculture Department said such exposure programmes would continue as part of its efforts to strengthen farmer capacity and encourage a scientific approach to agriculture and sustainable agricultural growth across Ladakh.