Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry

About Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry

Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry came into being on December, 1985.  It is named after Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the architect of Himachal Pradesh and visionary of Horticulture and Forestry University for the state of Himachal Pradesh. The University has its origin in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College and Research Institute, Solan established  in 1962 with its affiliation to Panjab University, Chandigarh. The College was raised to the status of Post-graduate College in 1965 when it introduced M.Sc.(Agriculture) programmes in some important subjects. With the establishment of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in 1970, its affiliation changed to HPU and thereafter it became Agriculture Complex of HPU, Shimla in July, 1971. This Agriculture Complex further became Horticulture Complex of HPU and Himacahal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (HPKV), Palampur in 1976 and 1978, respectively. On December, 1985 this complex got the recognition of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry. Similar to other State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), based upon Land Grant System, the University also follows course credit system of students education under bifurcation of annual academic session into two semesters. Each semester is spread over a duration of 19 weeks along with short duration semester breaks of six weeks each. During semester breaks educational tours and field trainings are organised to expose students to different farming situations.

Constituent Institutions

1. College of Horticulture
2. College of Forestry

Location - It is situated in Nauni on the Solan-Rajgarh Road. The campus lies 15 km from the town of Solan.

Departments

• Biotechnology
• Entomology & Apiculture
• Floriculture & Landscaping
• Fruit Breeding & Genetic Resources
• Mycology & Plant Pathology
• Fruit Science
• Post Harvest Technology
• Vegetable Science
• Silviculture & Agroforestry
• Tree Improvement & Genetic Resources
• Forest Products
• Soil Sciences & Water Management
• Basic Sciences
• Social Sciences

Facilities

Hostels - The university has ten Hostels, out of which four are for boys, five for girls and one for international students. Each hostel has a common room equipped with colour T.V. and facilities for indoor games and a badminton court. Important newspaper and magazines are subscribed for general reading of the students in the Hostel.

Satyanand Stokes Library - It is named after Mr. Satyanand Stokes, a native of U.S. who became Indian National and heralded apple revolution in  Himachal Pradesh. The whole collection of the library is computerized and OPAC is electronically accessible. It is the first SAU library in the country which has been converted in to Wi-Fi Library in 2003-2004 besides introducing SOUL (Software for University Libraries) to facilitate its automation functions. SOUL is an integrated multi-user library management system that supports all in-house operations of the Library. The soul  consists of modules on acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serials, article indexing and OPAC. The Library offers inter-library loan service to its users for the books and periodicals not available in the Library by procuring them from other neighbouring universities / Institutes. This Library, in turn also lends its resources to the libraries of other government and academic institutions. The Library has  connectivity on 29 computers and provides facility for email and internet. The library offers a compulsory course on Library and Information Services (0+1) to M.Sc. and Ph.D. students of college of Horticulture and College of Forestry. It has a collection of 42353 Books, 16171 Periodicals, 3554 Theses etc. The University has also established a Multimedia Centre which has various audio-video sources to inform, educate, persuade and entertains the readers.

Computer and Instrumentation Centre - The centre provides resource sharing and exchange of information facilities to all the academic departments and offices with in the campus through local area network having global internet and Email connectivity. It also provides connectivity to National Network of ICAR connecting various SAU's and ICAR research institutes under Agricultural Research Information System (ARIS). Training programmes are conducted from time to time for the scientific, administrative and other supporting staff in computer applications and on proper upkeep of laboratory equipment. Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing facilities are also available for natural resources management.

Other Facilities:

• Campus wide Gigabit Local Area Network with fibre backbone established.
• 2 Mbps Internet Leased line installed for Internet and E-mail facility.
• About 180 internet and email nodes provided in the campus to the students, faculty and staff.
• Internet connectivity provided to university library, multimedia centre, cyber cafe and communication centre.

PDC - Plasticulture Development Centre has been working on drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, fertigation, in-situ moisture conservation, anti-hail nets, anti-bird nets, shade nets, protected cultivation of fruits, vegetables and floricultural crops and LDPE lined water storage tanks.

University Health Centre - University has a health centre situated in the campus for round the clock health services for the students and staff. Zonal Hospital is situated at Solan 14 Kms from Campus. 24 hour ambulance facility is also available.

ESCC - Environment, Sports and Cultural Club is a registered NGO under Societies Registration Act 21, 1860. It has been created to raise awareness about Environment, Sports and Culture through it's various programmes and activities.

Placement Cell - The university has a Placement Cell for career counselling.

Sports - The university has a huge playground and an international gymnasium, where facilities for different games and sports exist. The students are encouraged to participate in state and inter-university competitions. Physical Education is compulsory for all undergraduate students.

Medical Facilities - Medical Facilities are provided to all the students round the clock through university health centre located in the main campus.

Common Use Facilities - To make life comfortable for the students, common use facilities such as canteen, shopping centre, banks, post-office and transportation are available in the campus.

NCC/ NSS - NCC/ NSS and physical education are compulsory for all undergraduate students. However the girls, foreign nationals and in-service candidates are exempted from NCC.

Internet - A cyber cafe has been established for the students of this university where ten computers are installed. Internet facility is also provided in the cyber cafe.

Financial Assistance - The following financial assistance is provided to the students seeking admission in this university under different programs:

Under-graduate program

• ICAR merit-cum-means scholarship of Rs.170/- P.M. (7.5% of the enrolment).

• College merit scholarship of Rs.170/- P.M. (10% of the enrolment).

• Subsistence Allowance @ Rs.750/- P.M. to each B.Sc. final year student during Rural Horticultural Work Experience (RHWE)/Rural Forestry Work Experience (RFWE).

• Govt. of India Scheduled Caste/Tribes and Low Income Group stipend through State Education Department. The value of stipend is equivalent to the tuition and other fees.

• Rai Sahib Ami Chand Memorial Trust Scholarship of Rs.250/- P.M. to a candidate belonging to Himachal Pradesh and preferably from rural area. This scholarship is available to the B.Sc. Horticulture students only.

• National Loan Scholarship of Rs.75/- P.M. awarded by the Department of Education, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh.

• Interest free loan for SC/ST students from HP Scheduled Castes and Tribes Development Corporation.

• District Soldier Board Stipend (amount of stipend is variable).

Master's Program

• University Merit Scholarship of Rs.1000/-P.M. one in each discipline.
• University stipend of Rs.300/- P.M. to the students who are not getting any financial assistance (only for HP domiciles).

Doctoral program

• University Merit Scholarship of Rs.1200/-P.M. one in each discipline.
• University stipend of Rs.400/- P.M. to the students who are not getting any financial assistance (only for HP domiciles).

Under-graduate program

ICAR/CSIR Fellowships are awarded to the Post-graduate students on the basis of all India competition examination conducted by the ICAR/CSIR:

Master's Program

• ICAR Junior fellowship of Rs.3600/-P.M. plus contingent grant of Rs.6000/- per annum.

Doctoral Program

• ICAR/CSIR Senior fellowship of Rs.5000/-P.M. for the first two years and Rs.5600/- P.M. for the third year plus contingent grant of Rs.10000/- per annum.

Note : Other agencies also award fellowship to Post-graduate students. The application for these fellowships are to be submitted to the awarding agencies through the concerned Dean.

NRI / NRI Sponsored / Paid seats - Over and above the normal intake to various programs, admission to the B.Sc. Horticulture, B.Sc. Forestry, Master's, MBA(Agri-Business) and Doctoral  programs for NRI/NRI sponsored/ Paid Seats candidates shall be made  on the basis of merit of the qualifying degree required for the program. These candidates are exempted from entrance test. NRI/NRI sponsored candidates shall be admitted on the basis of inter-se merit.

Minimum Qualification:

Prescribed minimum qualification for the program applied for. No Entrance Test.

Eligibility:

a) NRI candidates :

Following documents shall be considered as a proof of NRI Status :

• Copy of the Non-Resident Card/Green Card/Employment Card issued by the Employer.
• Photocopy of the immigration/employment Visa entry on the passport along with details of the passport.
• Certificate issued by the Indian Embassy/ High Commission in the country where NRI is residing.
• Photocopy of the latest assessment order of the Income Tax authorities either in India or the country of the employment filed in the status of Non-Resident Indian.

b) NRI Sponsored candidates :

• Certificate of sponsorship from NRI along with proof of NRI status of the sponsorer as required under para (a) above.

c) Paid seats candidates :  

• No certificate of NRI/NRI sponsorship required.

Directorate of Research - It is involved in research activities of various departments and Research Stations situated in all agro-climatic zones of the State. All research activities on various aspects of horticulture and forestry are carried out on 541 ha of experimental farm attached with the main campus at Nauni, Solan and 144 ha of experimental farms attached with the Zonal Research Stations of the university.

Features:

Regional Research Stations - Regional Research Stations throughout the state have been established in all the agro-climatic zones of the state with the mandate to carry out research programs which are need based and location specific. These programs are designed to help the farmers/orchardists of the zone in tackling their problems on various aspects of Horticulture and Forestry. A considerable strengthening of these regional research stations is being done through ICAR, DST, DBT and State funding sources.

Regional Research Stations

1. RHRS, Jachh - Kangra.
2. RHFRS, Bhota - Hamirpur.
3. RHRS, Bajaura - Kullu.
4. RHRS, Mashobra - Shimla.
5. RHRS, Sharbo - Kinnaur.

Satellite Research Stations - There are varying farming situations in each climatic zone owing to the complexity of cropping systems, rainfall, pattern, biophysical settings and socio-economic base.

Various Satellite Research Stations

1. Horticulture Research Station, Dhaulakuan, District Sirmour.
2. Litchi & Mango Research Station, Nagrota Bagwan, District Kangra.
3. Horticultural and Forestry Research Station, Neri, Hamirpur.
4. Horticulture Research Station, Kandaghat, District Solan.
5. Horticulture Sub-Research Station, Seobagh, Distrcit Kale.
6. Horticulture Research Station, Katrain, District Kullu.
7. Forest Research Sub-Station, Rahla (Manali), District Kullu.
8. Temperate Horticulture Research Station, Kotkhai, District Shimla.
9. Shilly Forest Nursery, District Solan.
10. Apple Scab Monitoring & Research Lab, Kotkhia, District Shimla.
11. Regional Horticultural Research Sub-station, Tabo (Spiti), District Lahaul & Spiti.
12. Vegetable Research Station, Kalpa, District Kinnaur.

Research and Development Centres

These are:

• NARIC - Natural Resource Information Centre was established at the main campus of the University with the financial assistance from ICAR, New Delhi and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal (ICIMOD). The centre is a step forward for optimum utilization and sustainable views of natural resources by way of field research and information exchange under the diversified programs in, Geographic Information System, Remote Sensing, Information management and watershed management with a pronounced stress on horticulture, forestry and allied disciplines.

• NAEB - National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (NAEB) under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (GOI) established seven regional centres throughout India including one at this university. Its primary objectives are to provide technical assistance to state/union territory, forest department/corporations and other agencies in project formulation on social forestry programs. It has been conducting research on location specific afforestation, regeneration of forest eco-development and people participation in various management and protection practices under national social forestry programs.

• Himalayan Arboretum and Museum on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - The Himalayan region, especially Himachal Pradesh, endows a rich resource of medicinal and aromatic plants. Inherited human adaptation mechanism of the mountain community used these herbs through intricately integrating them with their cultural and natural heritage. purposively, to promote conservation and optimum utilization, the university has established a Himalayan arboretum on endangered forest species and a museum on medicinal and aromatic plants.

• Centre for Advanced Studies in Vegetable Crops - The Centre was started in 1994 with funding from the ICAR for improvement of postgraduate education in vegetable crops by organizing advanced training programs for teachers/researchers from all over the country.

• Plasticulture Development Centre - The basic objective of this centre is to develop and disseminate suitable technologies such as drip irrigation system, protected cultivation, in situ moisture conservation, anti-hail nets etc. especially for high value horticultural crops.

• National Centre for Weather Forecasting - The centre was started in 1996 with financial assistance from Ministry of Science and Technology (GOI) with the main objective of providing advisory services to farmers on crop weather forecast along with recommendations on the package of practices for various crops.

• Bio-informatic Centre (SUB-DIC) - The centre of bio-informatics was established in the university under the department of Biotechnology by Govt. of India in 1999.

• Seed Technology Production Centre -  The mandate of Centre is seed production, seed research and technology. The activities of the Centre are coordinated through five sections namely; maintenance of vegetable varieties, seed technological research on vegetable crops, vegetable and flower seed production, seed entomology, seed pathology and tree seed research. Each section is supervised by a scientist in-charge under the guidance of Associate Director (Seed Technology).  

Extension Education - It aims at transfer of improved technology to the farmers, orchardists, NGOs and personnel of development departments on fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, flowers and medicinal and aromatic plants, bee-keeping, forestry, agroforestry and allied fields.

Features:

• Workshops and Seminars - National and Regional Level Workshops and Seminars on fruits, vegetable cultivation flower growing, post harvest technology and seed production, mushroom cultivation, bee-keeping, forestry and medicinal plants are organized to discuss latest research findings, thus, orienting and educating both the scientists and field officers of the Department of Horticulture, Agriculture, Forest Farming and Conservation and other line departments for further transfer of technology to the orchardists / farmers of different agro-climatic zones of the State through training/seminars.

• CET - Centre of Excellence in Training for Temperate Horticulture and Agroforestry has facilities to provide advanced training in the fields of temperate horticulture and forestry to the staff of SAUs and the developmental departments of the country to sharpen their knowledge and skill. The jurisdiction of this centre is the entire state of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttranchal, North Eastern states and hilly parts of other states where there are great potential for the temperate horticulture and forestry.

• Regional Centre of National Afforestation and Eco-development Board - It has been established in the university of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan with the objective of helping the National Afforestation and Eco-development Board (NAEB) in project formulation and implementation, monitoring, evaluation and training aspects which are essential support requirements for the success of Social Forestry and Wasteland Development Programs.

• Operational Project in Agroforestry - Agroforestry training of 3-4 days duration are being organized for the farmers and NGOs of the state under ORP Project sponsored by the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of India The on farm research trials are also conducted in different agro-climatic zones of the state under this project. This project is being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry of the University.

• Technical Backup Unit of Non-Conventional Energy Sources - Various training programs for officers and farmers are conducted at different locations under ORP scheme on the use of non-conventional energy sources, new improved pottery, use of smokeless chulhas, solar drier, solar cookers and other renewable energy sources. The project has been abandoned by the ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources but the unit has been rendering expertise in the designing and fabrication of improved chullahs for cold desert area of Ladhak (J & K).

• Integrated Watershed Development Project for Hills (Kandi areas) - Institutional workshop/trainings at the main campus, regional stations are being organized for the officers, field functionaries and farmers of different watersheds/micro watersheds already identified in Kandi area of Sirmour, Solan, Una and Kangra districts. Field trainings in kharif and Rabi seasons are also organized in collaboration with Project Officers and field functionaries of the concerned departments.

• National Watershed Development Project for Rain fed Areas - Institutional and location specific workshop-cum-trainings are also organized both at the main campus and regional research stations of the university in collaboration with the State Department of Agriculture for imparting trainings to the field officers and field functionaries and farmers on technology transfer under the project for rain fed areas of Solan, Shimla, Kullu, Chamba and Kinnaur districts. 

• Integrated Watershed Development Project under Rural Development Project - This program has been sponsored by Ministry of Forestry and Environment for the development of wastelands by selecting different watersheds under District Rural Development Agency, in different districts of the state in collaboration with State Department of Rural Development. The University has been collaborating for the development of the watersheds by organizing institutional and location specific trainings, demonstrations, exhibitions diagnostic and farm advisory services in these watersheds identified in different districts by the respective District Rural Development Agency.

• DPAP - Drought Prone Areas Program (DPAP) has been started in Kunihar and Dharampur blocks of Solan district for the development of different identified watersheds in the blocks. This program is being implemented in collaboration with the District Rural Development Agency and Deputy Commissioner of the district. University envisages to impart trainings and organize diagnostic visits and field demonstrations in these areas. Alikhad and Bambira Khad, both in Kunihar Block, have been identified as treatment sites for development of these watersheds.

• Training cum Demonstration on Vermi-compost Technology - This project has been sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of Himachal Pradesh for the purpose of giving training and demonstration on Vermi-compost technology to the farmers of the state. The university scientists are imparting training to the farmers of Solan, Shimla, Hamirpur and Kinnaur districts and to started with Kandaghat, Mashobra, Rohru, Bhota and Sharbo have been selected in the first phase of the project.

• NATP - National Agriculture Technology Project, Shimla district of the state has been covered under NATP as one of the six pilot districts of the country to initiate this scheme on pilot basis. Regional Horticulture Research Station, Mashobra and KVK Rohru have been identified for generation of appropriate technology and organizing training for transfer of technology, through ATMA (Agriculture Technology Management Agency) which is an autonomous registered society for management of this program and SAMITI established at Mashobra under Department of Agriculture, Government of Himachal Pradesh. In the second phase the project has been extended to Hamirpur, Kangra and Bilaspur districts of the state.

• Capsule course on Agri-clinic and Agri-business - This scheme is facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India and coordinated by SFAC, MANAGE and financed by NABARD. Under the scheme two months capsule course on agri-clinic and agri-business was organized by the university w.e.f. 29 April to 28 June, 2003 for the unemployed agricultural graduates of the state to promote self-employment opportunities. Other such programmes are in the offing in near future.

• Practical Field Trainings

i)  Practical training of 2-7 days duration - Trainings on cultivation of fruits, nursery management, cultivation of mushrooms, bee-keeping, vegetable cultivation, vegetable seed production, floriculture, post harvest handling and techniques for preservation of fruits and vegetable at the main campus and regional research stations are being organized. These training courses have proved to be of great utility to the orchardists and farmers. The objective of these trainings is to build professional competency among the participating farmers and farm women on the subjects of horticulture/forestry and allied disciplines. In each camp 20-25 persons are provided training in each camp. Interested orchardists, vegetable growers, bee-keepers, mushroom growers from Himachal Pradesh who intend to join any of these trainings should send their applications to the Director of Extension Education, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan - 173 230, whereby they must mention their field of interest for training.

ii)  Location Specific Trainings - One or two days location specific trainings are being organized in the potential belts of Horticulture and Forestry all over the state to educate the farmers regarding improved technical know-how and for solving their problems related to production, plant protection, nutritional disorders and other orchard and farm management problems.

iii) Collaborative Trainings - Various training programs which are organized by the State Department of Horticulture/ Agriculture, Nehru Yuvak Kenderas, Nationalized Banks, Regional Support Unit, NGO's, DRDA and various corporations etc. are also being attended to at the institutional and field levels by scientists of the university.

• Vocational Training Program on Horticulture Management - Vocational training courses (Gardeners Training Course) on Horticulture Management is run by the Directorate of Extension Education through Regional Horticulture Research Stations at Jachh, Bajaura,  Mashobra, Sharbo, Kotkhai and Dhaulakuan and KVK Chamba. This course is meant for imparting training in horticulture to youths from different districts of Himachal Pradesh involved in orchard management. Duration of the training is one year and about 20 seats are available every year for this course at each centre. The youths having matriculate qualification with minimum second divisions and belonging to rural background are eligible for this training. Admission notice is published in the leading newspapers for submission of application for the course.

• Vocational Training Program for Horticulture Supervisors & Entrepreneurs - Horticulture supervisors and entrepreneurs are enrolled in Horticulture trainings sponsored by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India under Human Resource Development in Horticulture. The ministry has identified this university as one of the nodal agencies for the organizing horticulture supervisor and entrepreneurs course in horticulture of one year and 3 months respectively for the rural youths belonging to the entire temperate region of the country. The aim of this vocational training program is to generate self employment to the rural youths by improving their knowledge, skill and attitude for taking up horticulture pursuits to earn their livelihood as well as to act as satellite progressive farmers in their respective areas.

• Horticulture and Forestry Melas and Days - Organization of horticulture and Forestry Melas and days (at the main campus/research stations) for educating the rural masses in respect of improved techniques for fruit growing, vegetable growing, seed production, flowers, mushrooms, medicinal plants and taking up plantations of agroforestry plants on the government, community and private lands has become an important activity. The salient features of the Melas and days are exhibition, competitions of horticulture and forestry produce, discussions and question-answer session relating to improved technology for solving farmers problems. These Melas and days are serving as effective media for communication of technology to the farmers of the Pradesh. In addition, Van Mahotsava, World Environment Day, World Forestry Day are organized every year.

• Farmers Scientists Interaction Program - To build up an institutionalized system of providing direct feedback from farmers to the scientists about their problems and constraints in Agriculture/Horticulture/Forestry and to communicate relevant technological achievement to the farming community, a program on agro climatic zones basis known as farmers-scientists interaction program has been initiated which provides a forum for on the spot remedial measures thereafter.

• Guided Visits - The planners, policy makers, departmental officers, field functionaries, orchardists and farmers both from Himachal Pradesh as well as other states have been visiting the university for updating their technical know-how in horticulture and forestry. Guided visits are conducted for them by the Directorate of Extension Education which has been proved a quite effective mechanism to educate different types of visitors coming to the university campus.

• All India Radio and Doordarshan Programs - Directorate of Extension Education in collaboration with various departments of the University and All India Radio, Shimla organizes:

1. Radio talks of the university experts on various horticultural and forestry aspects from time to time.
2. Farm Radio School of one year duration on various horticulture & forestry crops.
3. Courier service is rendered to solve problems of the farmers through correspondence and other radio programs.  
4. The above arrangement through AIR and Doordarshan helps the university in communicating technology to the farmers of distant, difficult and remote areas of the state where extension workers and scientists are not able to reach and interact with the farmers.

• Preparation of Photographs and Video Films - A photographic cell has been established at the main campus of the university through which all photographic work of the university including slide preparations is carried out to cater to the needs of the research workers, students and extension workers. Video films of beta cam and VHS are also prepared on various themes for educating and transfer of technology purposes at the doorsteps of the farmers.

• Publications - Directorate of Extension Education is publishing popular literature for the benefit of farmers/ orchardists and other interested agro-forestry entrepreneurs on various horticultural, forestry and allied themes, which serves as a guiding force to the farmers and field functionaries in the far flung areas of the state.

• ATIC - Agriculture Technology Information Centre is located in the communication centre building which fulfils the objectives by providing the latest information about the institution and makes available the improved technologies along with quality planting material and seeds and products of the university including literature, audio video cassettes etc. to the farming communities and other clientèle. This also strengthens the linkages between university scientists, farmers, orchardists, agro-based industries, concerned line department and supporting organizations. It also provides consultancy, diagnostic and advisory services to the farmers, orchardists, foresters and all concerned visitors to the centre with their problems related to production, plant protection, storage and marketing etc. Further this also helps in getting feedback from the ultimate users about the impact of the technologies generated. This also generates resources through sale of the technology and material of the university. It is accelerating the pace of technology dissemination and its final adoption by the farmers, orchardists through a single window system.

• Farmers' Telephone Helpline / Kisan Call Centre - The University has started Farmers' Telephone Help line on telephone No. 01792-252426 w.e.f 6th August 2001. The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi has established Kisan Call Centre (KCC) level-II at our university. The farmers' queries / problems are addresses to our KCC, Level-II by the KCC Level-I functionaries, if they are not able to address farmers' problems. The farmers can redress their problem through telephone number 01792-252822. The farmers' problems / queries need to be addresses within 72 hours.

• Farm Advisory and Clinical Services - The Directorate of Extension Education provides the farm advisory and clinical services though its main campus and regional stations/KVKs:

a)  Farm Advisory Services - Advisory services pertaining to  horticulture, forestry and allied fields are rendered to the farmers / orchardists at the main campus, regional research stations, KVKs and sub-stations. These serve good purpose of guiding the farmers and orchardists. Besides problems of the farmers are sorted out on the spot when scientists visits area falling in different  micro-climatic situations during diagnostic and field visits.

b)  Front Line Demonstration & On Farm Trials - Oilseed/ pulse demonstration projects of ICAR/TOT centres has been initiated with a view to demonstrate latest technology to the farmers for increasing the production of oilseeds and pulses for increasing the production of oil seeds and pulses in the country. Different oilseed crops covered under this program are groundnut, soybean, sunflower, mustard, toria, gobhi sarson, linseed, sesamum etc. The program is in operation at Solan, Bajaura, Jachh, Sharbo and Chamba centres of the university. Besides newly developed verities and technologies are tested at different centres of the university located in different agro-climatic conditions.  

c)  Adoption of Villages for Integrated Development - A number of villages in different agro-climatic situations have been adopted near the campus, regional stations & KVKs for solving problems of the farmers related to horticulture and forestry and to organize demonstration trials, farmer interactions and consultation meetings. It is serving as a good method for the dissemination of information technology in the selected villages for solving the problems of the people and increasing their production.

d)  Diagnostic Field Visits - University scientists are deputed along with officers from other departments from time to time as members of the diagnostic teams for visiting the problematic areas of the orchardists / farmers so as to diagnose the problems and suggest immediate remedial measures and also to the planners, policy makers or other concerned agencies.

e)  Technology Assessment and Refinement through Institution-Village Linkage Program - In order to assess and refine the impact of technology already adopted in different socio-economic and micro agro-climatic situations on the basis of sharing/integration of mutual experiences of farmers, scientists and field functionaries, the directorate of Extension Education has formulated an action plan for the adopted blocks of Kandaghat in Solan district and Theog in Shimla district under an ICAR sponsored pilot project on "Technology Assessment and Refinement through Institution- Village Linkage Program". Under this project 500 families in each block have been identified. Various technological modules for different categories of production systems have been suggested after studying agro-ecosystem and socio-economic conditions through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Technique. The project is in operation since 1995-96.

• KVKs - Krishi Vigyan Kendras are front line farm training centres in the country, imparting practical trainings to the farmers in pursuits of Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Animal Husbandry and allied fields. Institutional and location specific trainings and demonstrations are organized through KVKs and their activities are generally aimed at technology evaluation and dissemination.

 

1. KVK at Saru, Distt. Chamba.
2. KVK at Reckong Peo, Distt. Kinnaur.
3. KVK at Kandaghat Distt. Solan.
4. KVK at Rohru, Distt. Shimla.

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Information compiled from: Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Website