The EditorExperts Urge Farmers to Ensure Balanced Diet for Livestock
Cheeka, June 10 — In a major awareness drive under the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan 2025, agricultural scientists and officials visited several villages in Kaithal district, educating farmers about improved farming techniques, livestock nutrition, and government subsidy schemes.
Dr. Mandeep Rathi, Training Assistant from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kaithal, stated that this campaign, initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), began on May 29 and has so far covered 21 villages. As part of this effort, awareness drives were recently held in Badsui, Tatiana, and Sadrehri villages.
Focus on Soil Health and Direct Seeding
Farmers were guided on soil testing and direct seeding of paddy, helping them adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Dr. Raj Kumar, Principal Scientist from the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, spoke about the health benefits of barley and encouraged its inclusion in daily diets for better nutrition.
Livestock Health and Dairy Awareness
Dr. Chandra Dutt from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, emphasized the importance of mineral mixtures and balanced diets for livestock. He highlighted how proper nutrition can increase animal productivity and prevent diseases. Farmers were also briefed on the value addition of dairy products, which could help increase farm income.
Addressing Soil Salinity and Promoting Sandalwood Farming
Dr. Manish Kumar, Senior Scientist at ICAR-Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, discussed the importance of soil and water testing, and how special varieties of paddy developed by the institute can thrive in saline soils. He also encouraged farmers to consider sandalwood and willow farming as alternative income sources, supported by institutional initiatives.
Government Subsidies and Farming Support
Dr. Ishwar Kumar, Agriculture Development Officer, detailed the various subsidies available to farmers. He highlighted the ₹4500 per acre support for direct seeding of paddy. Similarly, Dr. Anmoldeep Singh, a veterinary officer, informed farmers about livestock-related subsidies and stressed the importance of timely vaccinations.
Support for Horticulture and Natural Farming
Dr. Kapil, Horticulture Development Officer, shared information about government schemes promoting horticulture. Meanwhile, Dr. Sachin Panwar, BTM Cheeka, raised awareness about the benefits and practices of natural farming.
Strong Local Participation
The event saw active participation from local farmers and officials including Avinash (VLDA), Deepak, Yadvinder (Agricultural Supervisor), Balvinder (Sarpanch), Balbir Singh (Nambardar), and farmers like Joginder, Sanjeev, and Jagdish.
The campaign continues to bridge the knowledge gap between research and rural farming, with the aim of empowering farmers with sustainable practices and government-backed support for a better agricultural future.
