UDHAMPUR: A two-day Capacity Building Programme on “Plant Clinic Approach, Farmer Advisory and Digital Advisory Tools” concluded today at the Sub-Divisional Agriculture Office, Udhampur. Held on 30 and 31 July 2026, it was jointly organised by the Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare with CABI International under the PlantwisePlus initiative.
Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) Jammu Sanjay Anand was the Chief Guest. Among those present were Chief Agriculture Officer Udhampur Vikas Padha, SMS-RL Ashwani Kumar, CABI Crop Health Advisor Dr Manju Thakur, District and Extension Officers, Krishi Udyamis, Agro Dealers and other stakeholders. Technical sessions were conducted by Arun Khajuria (SMS Resource Person), Rajeev Singh, Manmohan Sharma, Shishupal Bomatora, Vikal Gupta, Dr Vandana Bhau and Dr Monika Pathania.
The programme sought to strengthen the technical and advisory skills of Extension Officers, Krishi Udyamis and Agro Dealers through the Plant Clinic Approach, scientific crop diagnosis, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and digital advisory tools. Participants were trained on early pest and disease diagnosis, plant health advisory and digital platforms for knowledge sharing and decision-making.
Sanjay Anand called for strengthening e-Plant Health Clinics, promoting IPM and building the capacities of Krishi Udyamis for better extension services and employment generation. He informed that nearly 2,000 hectares in Udhampur are under organic farming and sought the development of Katwalta, Chenani, Latti and Dudu as model areas for organic and IPM-based agriculture.
Vikas Padha highlighted the role of continuous capacity building in equipping field functionaries with scientific knowledge and digital tools, while Dr Manju Thakur underlined the significance of the PlantwisePlus initiative in strengthening plant health services and reducing pesticide risks.
