Prayagraj, 01 Sept (HS): A five-day farmer training program

for the farmers of Sonbhadra district was inaugurated under the Sub Mission on

Agriculture Extension (ATMA) scheme, which will be conducted from August 31 to

September 4, 2026, at the Directorate of Extension, Sam Higginbottom University

of Agricultural Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj.

During the training program, Dr. Praveen Charan, Director of

Extension, stated that SHUATS University has been serving farmers since 1910

and has established a distinct identity among farmers through research,

teaching, and extension. Currently, under the guidance of Vice Chancellor

Professor (Dr.) Jonathan A. Lal, it continues to work for the benefit of

farmers and is a leader in the field of agriculture. Dr. Praveen Charan,

Director of Extension, stated that under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor,

the University's research work is reaching new heights through innovative

technologies, and the University is providing unprecedented support to the

country's food supply.

He stated that this five-day training program will provide

you with the opportunity to understand a variety of innovative agricultural

techniques. He also added that this training program will provide you with the

opportunity to visit the University's research fields and laboratories and

observe and learn about various research projects. In the training program, he

told the farmers that this university is the oldest agricultural institute not

only in India but in the continent of Asia, in which practical education of

agriculture is being provided to the farmers. After the establishment of this

institute as a university, with the cooperation of the Government of Uttar

Pradesh, the program of training of farmers in agriculture and related fields

is being continuously conducted through the Directorate of Extension, which has

started showing its results in the form of increase in productivity and farmer

income in the area. Impressed by the useful knowledge of the scientists of the

Directorate of Extension for the farmers, the farmers of Vindhyachal and

Prayagraj divisions are always ready for training in this university.

Scientist Dr. Manish Kumar Kesarwani, while explaining the

usefulness of coarse grains, said that the problem of malnutrition in rural

women and children can be effectively addressed by daily consumption of coarse

grains. Coarse grains contain abundant calcium, which can help in eliminating

bone problems in women during pregnancy. Also, other coarse grains contain

abundant iron, due to which children and the elderly get these nutrients in

abundance. On this occasion, he provided technical information on preparing

processed products of coarse grains at home and commercial level.

Dr. Mukesh P. Masih, in-charge of Krishi Vigyan Kendra

Prayagraj, discussed in detail with the farmers about the production, utility

and importance of flowers and informed the farmers that considering the

geography of their area, whoever joins the flower production business can get

an additional benefit which will be a new ray of hope for the economic strength

of the farmers.

On this occasion, Training Coordinator and Scientist Dr.

T.D. Mishra welcomed the participating farmers and briefly introduced them to

the training program. He explained to the farmers that pure seeds play a

crucial role in achieving good yields. High-quality seeds can increase crop

yields and reduce production costs. He provided detailed information to the

farmers about the university's seed production program and seed production

techniques. While providing information on Kharif pulse crop production

techniques, he explained that the area under pulse cultivation is steadily

decreasing, but their market value is steadily increasing. He urged farmers to

increase the area under pulse cultivation and emphasized that the use of

biofertilizers can significantly increase productivity at a low cost.

Scientist Prof. (Dr.) Rampal Singh, while giving information

to the farmers on animal husbandry related subjects, provided detailed

information about the maintenance of animals in the rainy season and also

introduced them to the scientific techniques of animal nutrition management,

fodder management etc.

On the occasion of inauguration of the training programme,

Joint Director of Publicity Prof. (Dr.) A. K. Chaurasia, Prof. (Dr.) G. M. Lal,

Dr. Sarvendra Kumar, Dr. Shailendra Kumar Singh, Dr. Shishir Kumar and Hindi

Officer Mrs. Meena Nathan etc. were present.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi