Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tabo Tabo, Lahaul and Spiti-II(HP)

Senior Scientist & Head
DR RS Spehia

Regional Horticulture Research Sub Station, Tabo was established in 1981 with the prime objective of research on temperate horticulture in the cold desert. Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) sanctioned Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)during the year 2017 and named it Lahaul & Spiti-II at Tabo. The KVK is situated 47 km away from district sub division headquarter Kaza at an elevation of 3243 meter amsl, representing true arid cold temperate climate of North–West Himalayas. The geographical position of the KVK is 32° 5.15' North latitude and 78° 23.054' East longitude on the globe.

The agricultural season in spiti is 6-7 months only between April-October. The summer is dry and short, while winter is long and freezing. Snowfall usually occurs from November to April. During winters, temperature drops to as low as - 30°C.Total land area with the KVK is 12.47 ha and has plantation of temperate fruits such as apple, apricot and pear. The soil of the KVK is clay to sandy and gravely and represent the soil status of entire Spiti valley.

Since its establishment, KVK has conducted 169trainings, 37field days,41 FLDs,36OFTs besides 590telephonic advisories (incl online Adv) benefiting 6009farmers. Established Food processing unit for local produce supporting “Vocal for Local” campaign.

Mandate

Organization of short and long term training programmes/vocational trainings in horticulture/agriculture and allied fields for the farmers, rural youths and officers of allied departments
Identification of location specific technologies for developing sustainable land use system through conducting ‘On-farm testing’ (OFT) trials.
Organisation of ‘Front-line demonstrations’ on these improved and tested farm technologies.

Strengths

Availability of fruit and vegetable nursery for farmers of Spiti valley.
Demonstrations on cultivation techniques for apple and apricot varieties suitable for cold arid regions.
Demonstrations on vegetable cultivation technologies for on and off seasons.
Approachability of scientific staff in remote villages of Spiti valley.
Model Food Processing Unit for value addition of local products.

Research

Thrust Areas

Natural Farming practices suitable for Spiti valley
Evaluation and standardizing production technologies for apple, prunes and apricot.
Evaluation of seed production technologies and varieties of vegetables suitable for dry temperate areas.
Protected cultivation of leafy vegetable during winters.

Major Ongoing Research Projects

World Bank Project on “Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Development” Project funded by World Bank under HPHDP (₹ Around 3 lakh/annum+infrastructure)
“Establishment of Model Food Processing Unit for demonstration and skill development of tribal farm women and unemployed youth of Spiti valley” Project funded by Tribal Area Sub-Plan (₹ 40.00 Lakh)
“Enhancing Farm Income through Climate Resilient SubhashPalekar Natural Farming System in Horticultural Ecosystems” Project funded by PrakritikKhetiKhushhalKissan Scheme, DoAg,GoHP (₹ 20.5 lakh)
“Skill Upgradation for improved livelihood through Agri- Interventions in Tribal Areas of Himachal Pradesh” Project funded by Agricultural Education Division, ICAR, New Delhi under TSP/STC (₹ 15.5 lakh)
“Strengthening and Development of Higher Agricultural Education in India” Project Funded by ICAR under TSP (₹ 6.38 lakh)
“Outscaling of Natural Farming through KVKs” Project Funded by ICAR (₹ 10.68 lakh)

Extension

Training Programms, Front Line Demonstration, On Farm Trial, Off Farm Trials, Kisan Melas, Telephonic Advisories and Field Visit.

Achievements

On and off campus training:KVK under took various extension activities like Training Programmes, Front Line Demonstration, On Farm Trails, Special Drives, Kisan Melas, Telephonic Advisories and Field Visit.

Kisan Mela: KrishiVigyan Kendra organized Kisan Mela on 06.10.2022 which was inaugurated by ShRajendraVishwanathArlekar, the then Hon’ble Governor, Himachal Pradesh in which411 farmers/farm women and other department official participated.

Other Extension activities: During last five years KVK Scientists have addressed 608No’s of farmers queries telephonically and conducted 349 Field/Diagnostic visits. Atotal of 306 farmers of different villages of Spiti were visited by the scientists of KVK and cleared their doubts and problems related to crop production. KVK has also conducted 228Nos of Method Demonstration on training and pruning of apple, high tech nursery raising, preparation of natural farming inputs, preparation of functional food products, applications and preparation of insecticide and fungicide in apple.

Awards & Recognitions

KVK magazine entitled“PitiZhing Pa” has been started which will be an annual feature.

“MittiParikshankaMahatav”. Upinder Sharma and SudhirVerma (2021). Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tabo, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Nauni, Solan.

“PrakritikKhetikaMahatav”. Upinder Sharma, Sumit Vashisth and SudhirVerma (2021). Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tabo, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Nauni, Solan.

“Spiti Ghati me SebkeMukhya Kit evamRog or UnkaEkikritPrabandhan”. Sumit Vashisth, Upinder Sharma and SudhirVerma (2021). Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tabo, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Nauni, Solan.

“Seb se Banane Vale KhadyaPadarth”. SavitaKumari, MeenaKumari and SudhirVerma (2021). Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tabo, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Nauni, Solan.

“SavasthPodhUtpadankiVidhi”. Nidhish Gautam and SudhirVerma (2021). Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tabo, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Nauni, Solan

Nidhish Gautam(Vegetable Science) received best Poster Presentation Award and Young Scientist Award on the occasion of 3rd National Conference of Natural Farming, Organic Farming and Chemical Farming in Indian Agriculture-Present Scenario and Way Forward held during 17-19, October, 2022 at Hotel Imperial Grand by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ujjain working under the aegis of VijayarajeScindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh).

Krishi Vigyan Kendra received the Best Presentation Award for the state of Himachal Pradesh (Zone-I) during the Annual Zonal Workshop of KVKs of Zone-I, held at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar (Uttarakhand) during August 3-5, 2019.

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