Plant Clinic at School of Agriculture

 

The School of Agriculture (SOA) organized a comprehensive training program from 8 September 2023 to 15 September 2023, targeting students pursuing agriculture studies. The inaugural session, presided over by Dr Rajendra Prasad, enlighten the participants on the pivotal role of plant clinics in the agricultural sector. He provided described the participants about the objectives of Plant Clinics, the operational framework of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samruddhi Kendras, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs), Agriculture Departments at the Block level, and other government and private organizations. He motivated the students to develop skills in identifying plant pathogens and manage plant diseases effectively. 

In subsequent hands-on sessions, Dr Sandeep Kumar, Assistant Professor at SOA and Training Coordinator, acquainted the students with various diagnostic tools of Plant Pathology. He demonstrated the uses of microscopes, soil testing kits, and other field instruments that are essential for the sample collection and plant pathogen identification. He also provided live demonstrations of crop disease symptoms using original samples collected from nearby agricultural fields. 

As part of a field visit, Dr Anil Kumar Sharma, Assistant Professor, SOA, accompanied participants to agricultural farms in proximity to the university campus. This allowed students to interact with local farmers, gaining practical exposure to Integrated Disease Management (IDM) and eco-friendly approaches for plant disease control. Dr Mohsin Ikram, Assistant Professor, SOA, shared insights with participants on selecting appropriate chemical and biological agents, emphasizing effective concentrations for managing various plant diseases and pest damages. Additionally, participants learned about data collection methods and case record preparation during this informative session.  

A total of 30 students actively participated in the training, gaining valuable insights into the significance of plant clinics in modern agriculture. The training program was concluded with certificate distribution and collection of valuable feedback from the participants.