Farmers Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Gaurishankar Bisen distributed certificates to 15 students figuring in merit list of Post Graduate Diploma in Agriculture Extension Management at State Agriculture Extension and Training Institute here on Tuesday. This one-year diploma course is being conducted since year 2004-08 by National Agriculture Extension Management Institute, Hyderabad through State Agriculture Extension and Training Institute.

Bisen said that agriculture development is possible only through integrated efforts. Production can be increased by applying modern farming techniques. During such trainings, extension workers are informed about increasing technical management capacity, knowledge of latest techniques in agriculture extension sector and taking decisions through participative method.

Bisen said that it is responsibility of extension workers to apprise farmers of latest techniques working with Kisan Mitras and Kisan Didis. Agriculture scientists and extension workers should give correct advice to farmers in this age of climate change. Bisen said that the state government had constituted agriculture cabinet in year 2011 through which several farmer-friendly decisions have been taken.

At present, supply of hybrid and balanced seeds to increase production and organic farming is being promoted. Madhya Pradesh is contributing 40 percent organic production in the country. Prime Minister’s Make in India initiative and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s Make in Madhya Pradesh resolve can be fulfilled only when farmers are apprised of innovations in farming.

ACS-cum-Agriculture Production Commissioner Prem Chand Meena said that there is immense potential of work in agriculture sector. Training should be given from time to time to farmers, Kisan Mitras and Kisan Didis through extension workers. Director DN Sharma dwelt in detail on the training course.