Heavy use of pesticides in cultivation and climate change is adversely affecting farmers and consumers as they are directly exposed to toxic chemicals. This was stated by senior scientists during a workshop organised by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) -Jammu.
Organised by the Agromet Research Centre, the programme was attended by more than 100 farmers who were made aware of climate change and other issues confronting the cultivators. Scientists urged the farmer to take the advantage of such programme and explained to them the role of Agro Advisory Services.
Om Prakash Sharma, Director, Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, who was the chief guest, talked about the effect of greenhouse gases on ecology and need for going for farming practices which are in tune with nature.
Dr Meenakshi Gupta, Nodal Officer, Agromet Research Centre, stressed on minimising the affect of climate change on day-to-day life of farmers. She also told about the mitigation effect of climate change through farmers’ participation in such awareness programme.
She said farmers should take benefit of technology available with universities to tackle the problems faced during cultivation and harvesting.
Dr Veena Sharma, Technical Officer, and Dr KS Risam, Director, Extension, SKUAST-Jammu, also spoke.
Climate change, pesticides affecting farmers, consumers, say scientists
