SKUAST-K: DCPC Secretary Emphasises Safe Pesticide Use and IPM Adoption for Sustainable Agriculture

The training programme witnessed enthusiastic participation of 524 farmers from Srinagar and adjoining districts, reflecting growing awareness and interest in sustainable crop protection practices.

Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ms. Nivedita Shukla Verma, has underscored the importance of safe, regulated and judicious use of pesticides to ensure agricultural sustainability, environmental protection and food safety.

She was addressing a one-day Farmer Training Programme held at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Srinagar, on the theme “Safe and Judicious Use of Pesticides and Promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Practices.”

Focus on Farmer Training and IPM Practices

The programme was jointly coordinated by HIL (India) Limited and SKUAST-K. Commending the collaborative effort, Ms. Verma highlighted farmer education, awareness generation, and the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as critical strategies to curb pesticide misuse and promote sustainable farming systems.

She emphasised that rational pesticide use, combined with IPM practices, not only safeguards human health and the environment but also enhances long-term farm productivity and resilience.

High-Level Participation and Institutional Support

Ms. Nivedita Shukla Verma attended the programme as Chief Guest, while Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, was the Guest of Honour. Senior officials from the DCPC, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, UNIDO, HIL (India) Limited, SKUAST-K, and the Department of Agriculture, Kashmir, were also present.

The training programme witnessed enthusiastic participation of 524 farmers from Srinagar and adjoining districts, reflecting growing awareness and interest in sustainable crop protection practices.

Launch of IPM Compendium and FPO Showcase

A key highlight of the event was the launch of an IPM Compendium for regional vegetable crops, designed to support farmers and extension workers with region-specific, science-based pest management solutions.

In addition, 16 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) from the Srinagar region showcased local produce and value-added products, including honey, saffron, apricot-based products, and chillies, highlighting the role of organised farmer collectives in enhancing incomes and market access.

MoU Signed for GEF–UNIDO FARM Project

The programme also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HIL (India) Limited and SKUAST-K for the joint implementation of the GEF/UNIDO FARM Project (Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management) in the Kashmir region.

The initiative aims to promote reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, encourage safer alternatives, and strengthen institutional capacities for sustainable agrochemical management.

The event reinforced the Government’s commitment to safe pesticide practices, farmer empowerment, and sustainable agricultural development, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions such as Kashmir.