29 June 2026, Pune
ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research, Pune, in collaboration with the State Agriculture Department, Khed Tehsil, organized a Sarpanch Sammelan-cum-Farmers' Training Programme under the ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’ at the Panchayat Samiti, Rajgurunagar, Pune, today. The programme focused on promoting soil health management, scientific interventions, and sustainable agricultural practices.
The programme was chaired by Dr K. V. Prasad, Director, ICAR-DFR, Pune, and attended by officials of the State Agriculture Department, Sarpanches, Gram Panchayat members, and representatives of 42 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from 35 villages of Khed Tehsil.
In his inaugural address, Dr Prasad emphasized the importance of soil health as the foundation of sustainable agriculture and encouraged farmers to adopt bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides for improving soil fertility, crop productivity, and environmental sustainability.
The senior officials highlighted the benefits of the Mobile Mahavistar App, while showcasing ICAR-DFR's innovative technologies for entrepreneurship, value addition, and income generation, particularly for Women Self-Help Groups.
Following the training programme, the ICAR-DFR scientists visited the polyhouse flower farms of progressive farmers at Kharpudi village, Khed Taluka, where they inspected rose and gerbera cultivation and provided technical guidance on integrated nutrient management, integrated pest and disease management, and the balanced use of organic and inorganic inputs for sustainable flower production.
The programme was attended by 179 participants (147 women and 32 men), reflecting the strong participation of rural communities and local governance institutions in promoting sustainable agriculture. Scientists from ICAR-DFR actively participated and interacted with the farming community.
(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research, Pune)
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