CABI Workshop on Plant Clinic Data Validation held to strengthen Pest Management, Advisory Services in Jammu

JAMMU: Director Agriculture Jammu Arvinder Singh Reen presided over the inaugural session of the workshop on “Plant Clinic Data Validation” under the Plant Wise Plus Programme, organized by the Department of Agriculture, Jammu, and the Centre for Agriculture Bioscience International (CABI), New Delhi, at Vivanta Jammu.

The workshop aimed to enhance the effectiveness of existing Plant Health Clinics and improve the data validation program across the Jammu region. The Programme was attended by Satish Sharma, Joint Director Agriculture Extension/SLUB, Dr. Manju Thakur, Crop Health Advisor CABI (South Asia), Arun Khajuria, SMS, Dr. Vishal Gupta, HOD Plant Pathology (SKUAST-J), along with scientists from SKUAST-J, experts and Plant Doctors representing various districts across Jammu.

In his address, the Director highlighted the adverse impact of pests and diseases, which contribute to up to 30% crop losses in the region. He stressed the importance of continuous training for Plant Doctors to improve their data validation process and pest forecasting skills, essential for providing proactive agricultural advisories. He further advocated for the adoption of digital decision-support tools to enhance the scientific advisory services, ensuring better pest management decision-making at all levels.

Joint Director Satish Sharma emphasized the need for training extension workers and strengthening the skills of agro-input dealers and farmers in identifying and managing priority pests. He also underscored the importance of improving data validation and processing workflows to enhance advisory services in the region.

Dr. Manju Thakur commended the collaborative efforts between the Department of Agriculture, Jammu and CABI, noting the successful partnership since the agreement’s inception in 2016. He stressed the need to streamline plant clinic activities and integrate digital tools to support scientific advisory services and decision-making. Dr. Thakur also introduced various CABI Digital Tools that Plant Doctors can use for easy access to knowledge, promoting more efficient pest management and plant health diagnostics.