JK News Today
Jammu: April 30:
SKUAST –J in collaboration with DST organized one day farmers training program on “Networking projects on revival of village ponds through scientific intervention” at village Merth, Kathua.
The DST sponsored project is working under the supervision and guidance of P .K. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-J, Bhoop Singh, Head NRDMS, J.P. Sharma, Director Research, SKUAST-J, S.S. Kukal Project Co-ordinator & Prof. D.P. Abrol, Dean FoA, SKUAST-J.
The main objective of the project is to assess and document indigenous knowledge of construction, management and use of village ponds & to identify and demonstrate scientific interventions on a pilot basis for revival of the village ponds while ensuring community participation. Vivak M. Arya, Scientist & PI of the project discussed that there is an acute problem of deficit irrigation supplies to the farmers in Kandi area during Kharif and Rabi seasons thereby affecting productivity of the crops. Arya emphasized that there is thus urgent need to revive these ponds to harvest and store rain water for different utilities. It is intended that the adopted ponds will be redesigned or restructured in such a manner that most part of the runoff from adjoining rivulets could be trapped in these ponds.
This will help in reduction of runoff, erosion and downstream floods. Ajay Thakur, JRF highlighted that the ponds will also facilitate in improving the level of groundwater in the region. Thakur, JRF said the water conserved through these village ponds is expected to cater the domestic needs of the villagers. The program ended with the vote of thanks by Subash Chander, Ex Chairman. Farmers thanked the DST & university officials for organizing the progarmme.
