KATHUA — February 09, 2026Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, officially flagged off a high-level exposure-cum-training tour today, sending 50 local farmers to the prestigious Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Jalandhar. Organized under the Sub Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE–ATMA), the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between advanced scientific research and field-level farming.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Chief Agriculture Officer Jatinder Kumar Khajuria and District Agriculture Officer Raj Singh, marking a significant step toward modernizing the district’s agricultural landscape.During the event, Deputy Commissioner Sharma emphasized that direct interaction with national research institutes is crucial for skill development and the dissemination of modern technology.
He noted that such programs are vital for farmer empowerment, productivity enhancement, and the promotion of sustainable entrepreneurship. By interacting with the participants, the DC encouraged the farmers to adopt smart agricultural practices that could lead to a substantial increase in both farm yields and overall household income.
Chief Agriculture Officer Jatinder Kumar Khajuria highlighted that the tour would provide invaluable practical knowledge in areas such as disease management, pest control, and the use of high-yield crop varieties. The Agriculture Production Department Kathua remains focused on using the SMAE–ATMA scheme to introduce farmers to post-harvest technologies and innovative farming techniques.
This strategic training is expected to strengthen food security in the region and significantly improve the livelihoods of the farming community by equipping them with the tools needed for 21st-century agriculture.
