Farmers can significantly increase crop yields by adopting scientific farming practices, said an agricultural expert. Agriculture Extension Officer Mohit Nayak made the remarks during a visit to farms in Chhakoh village in Bilaspur district today, where farmers are cultivating tomatoes under the Himachal Pradesh Crop Diversification Promotion Project being implemented in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Around 30 farmers in the village are engaged in commercial tomato cultivation on nearly 30 bighas of land as part of efforts to promote crop diversification and improve farm incomes in the region.
During the visit, Nayak and his team assessed crop growth, plant health, production potential and ongoing crop management practices. He said scientific cultivation methods could help farmers improve productivity and enhance the quality of produce.
Farmers Ram Ratan and Chamel Singh informed the visiting team that they had been following the recommendations of agricultural experts. They also provided feedback on crop damage caused by recent hailstorms and insect attacks and sought guidance on the marketing of harvested produce.
Block Project Manager Pawan Kumar said regular field visits were being conducted to help farmers identify and effectively control pests and diseases affecting tomato crops. He emphasised that continuous monitoring and scientific crop management were essential to minimise losses and safeguard yields.
He advised farmers to adopt integrated pest management practices, balanced fertiliser application and soil health conservation measures to ensure sustainable production and high-quality crops.
Kumar further highlighted the importance of timely irrigation, weeding, hoeing and staking in tomato cultivation. He said the adoption of scientific agricultural techniques would not only increase production but also improve crop quality, enabling farmers to secure better prices in the market.
He expressed confidence that the JICA-supported project would provide a fresh impetus to vegetable cultivation in the region and contribute significantly to making farmers more self-reliant.
