Palampur: Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV) in Palampur played host to a significant regional review meeting with NABARD on Tuesday. The event focused on sustainable agricultural practices and was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda.
In his address, Dr. Panda emphasized the need for cluster-based natural farming models, specifically for the state of Punjab. He called for the urgent adoption of water conservation technologies and the promotion of indigenous cattle breeds that are naturally suited to the region’s climate. “Sustainable agriculture must integrate scientific innovation with traditional knowledge to ensure long-term agricultural resilience,” Dr. Panda remarked.
The meet was attended by 20 delegates, including District Development Managers (DDMs) from various districts of Punjab. Key NABARD Punjab officials, including Chief General Manager Vinod Kumar Arya and General Manager Manohar Lal, were present at the event.
The session began with a welcome address by Dr. Vinod Sharma, Director of Extension Education, who reaffirmed the university’s commitment to collaborating with NABARD on rural development initiatives.
The program featured technical sessions led by university experts. Dr. Shivani Katoch discussed scientific feeding strategies for livestock, while Dr. Rakesh Chahota highlighted biotechnological interventions for crop improvement. Er. Ashish Dhiman provided a modern perspective by discussing the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence in human nutrition and health monitoring.
As part of the program, participants visited the university’s Hydroponics Unit and Model Dairy Farm to get a firsthand look at innovative fodder production systems and scientific dairy management.
