KVK Nyoma promotes Natural Farming, Soil Health among Farmers in Liktse

LEH: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nyoma, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Nyoma, on Thursday organised a day-long awareness-cum-demonstration programme on natural farming, soil health management and government agricultural schemes for farmers of Liktse village under the ongoing Khet Bachao Abhiyan.

The programme, attended by 31 farmers, focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving soil fertility and enhancing farm income through scientific interventions and value addition.

The event began with a welcome address by Dr. Tashi Dolkar, Scientist at KVK Nyoma, who outlined the objectives of the campaign and highlighted the importance of creating awareness about sustainable farming practices.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Phuntsog Tundup, Head of KVK Nyoma, stressed the need to preserve soil health through natural farming methods and encouraged farmers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices for long-term agricultural productivity.

A major feature of the programme was the distribution of Soil Health Cards to participating farmers. Dr. Tundup explained the technical details contained in each card and guided farmers on interpreting soil test results to make informed decisions on nutrient management and crop cultivation.

During the technical sessions, Dr. Tashi Dolkar spoke on vegetable value addition, emphasising that improved post-harvest handling and small-scale processing could reduce crop losses while creating additional market opportunities for farmers.

Plant Pathologist Dr. Stanzin Diskit briefed farmers on the identification and management of major insect pests and crop diseases, advocating eco-friendly plant protection measures, including the use of neem oil and other organic alternatives.

Ms. Nawang Palkit, In-charge Agriculture Extension Officer, Nyoma, informed participants about various government schemes available to farmers and explained the procedures for accessing benefits under agricultural development programmes. She also encouraged the adoption of organic farming practices.

The programme concluded with a live demonstration on the preparation and application of Jeevamrit, a natural farming input, followed by an interactive session in which farmers discussed field-level challenges and sought technical guidance from the experts.

KVK Nyoma said it would continue to provide technical support, training and capacity-building programmes aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and strengthening livelihoods in the high-altitude region of Ladakh.