Participatory integrated watershed approach which include all the components of agriculture, horticulture, soil conservation, agro-forestry and energy conservation for upliftment of livelihood system were referred to by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation (IISWC) director PK Mishra while addressing the gathering.
He also urged the farmers to share their learning with other villagers — including the women who work regularly on farms. He was addressing the participants in a five-day training programme on soil and water conservation attended by 18 progressive farmers from the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh under the sponsorship of ATMA scheme. The training course included class room lectures and exposure visit to the successful cases/projects on soil and water conservation and watershed management. Major focus was also laid upon how to enhance the profitability of the farmers with sustainable development.
The farmers were advised to adopt the resource conservation technologies including engineering structures, agronomic measures, selection of suitable crops, agro-forestry systems and profitable alternate land use systems. Management of soil fertility and organic agriculture, people participation and organising farmers for conservation of natural resources were also touched upon during the deliberations which also saw emphasis being laid on the use of micro-irrigation techniques to increase the efficiency level of the utilisation of water.
Earlier, among the various officials who visited the training programme, the deputy commissioner of training in Uttarakhand, GS Khati addressed the farmers citing various extension approaches being implemented as part of rural development programmes. He stressed on the active involvement of farmers in agricultural development programmes including National Rural livelihood Mission and related income generating activities.
From the IISWC, NK Sharma and lakhan Singh explained to the farmers various aspects like the importance of group-based technological interventions. The farmers participating in the training programme said that they would be sharing their recently acquired knowledge with other farmers of their village.