Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Rohru Rohru, Shimla(HP)

Dr. Usha Sharma
Senior Scientist & Head

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Shimla at Rohru, which is a part of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan was established in May 1995 for strengthening transfer of technology to the farming communities of District Shimla with the objective to promote cultivation of high value cash crops like temperate fruits, off-season vegetable crops, increasing area under oil seeds and pulses and training in various aspects of Horticulture and Forestry for increasing productivity and self employment.

Mission
KVK is a project of ICAR for testing and transfer of the agricultural technologies to bridge the gap between the production and productivity and to increase self- employment opportunities amongst the farming communities. In order to achieve the objectives, the KVK has to carry out activities as under in order to fulfill its mandate:

To organize vocational training programmes in agriculture and allied enterprises.
On farm testing (on farmers' field) in crop production, horticulture, livestock production, fisheries etc.
Frontline demonstrations on major cereal crops, oil seeds and pulses and other enterprises related to agriculture.
In- service training of field level extension officials.

Mandate

Conducting “On Farm Trials” to identify location specificity of agriculture technology.
Organizing “Frontline Demonstrations” to establish production potentials of various technologies at farmers field.
Conducting need based trainings for farmers to update their knowledge and skill in modern agriculture technologies.

Strengths

Plant diagnostic laboratory for diagnosis of fungal and bacterial diseases of fruits and vegetables.
Laboratory facility for soil testing for integrated nutrient management.
An Apple orchard with a collection of latest improved varieties, demonstration farm for production of apple and vegetable nursery.
Training hall with capacity for 100 people.

Research

Thrust Areas

Supply of true to type planting material of apple and pear.
To work on balanced use of fertilizer on the basis of leaf and soil analysis.
Diversification through commercial vegetable crops in apple growing areas and protected cultivation of high value cash crops.
To work on integrated plant health management of diseases and insect pests in fruit and vegetable crops.
To popularize intercropping with fertility restorer crops in young fruit orchards and to work on soil moisture conservation and suppression of weeds in orchards.

Achievements

Introduction of suitable apple cultivars for commercial cultivation in lower hills of Shimla district.
Improving soil health through soil test based integrated nutrient management- nutrient applications based on soil test values to optimize economic returns and minimize risk of environmental pollution.
Popularizing different pollinizing/Gala cultivar in Shimla district.
Replacement of standard apple cultivars with coloured strains for high profitability in Shimla district.
Popularization and spread of latest coloured strains of apple in the various parts of the district Shimla helping in doubling farmer’s income.
Soil moisture conservation techniques to check fruit drop and improve fruit size and quality.
Rejuvenation of unproductive orchards with latest varieties of apple.
Introduction of Oyster mushroom for income enhancement.
Diversification with Persimmon, Kiwifruit and Pomegranate.
Introduction of high value exotic salad crop- Snowpeas.
Management of late blight in potato.
Providing quality planting material to the farmers.
Development of technologies for management of root rot and collar rot - Approach grafting techniques for Collar Rot (Phytophthora cactorum) management in Apple.
Protected cultivation of exotic vegetables in Shimla district.
Inter-cropping of fruit trees with pulse an vegetable crops for doubling the income of the farmers and improving soil health.

Extension

In order to speed up the process of dissemination and better adoption of technology by the farmers, a large number of extension activities are carried out by KVK scientists through different communication means.

Achievements

More than 80 trainings were organized in which more than 1500 farmers/ extension personnel’s were trained on various aspects of horticulture technology development.
More than 1500 farmers/extension personnel’s were trained on various aspects of horticulture technology development in more than 80 trainings
Five Kissan Melas were organized on different aspects of apple production technology in which more than 1000 farmers participated.
More than 25 important days celebrated which were attended by more than 1000 farmers.
The scientists have conducted more than 250 diagnostic visits related to different horticultural aspects.
More than 20 exposure visits to various Research Institutes/ Universities/Progressive farmer’s orchards were conducted to showcase the technology development.

Awards & Recognitions

Krishi Vigyan Kendra Rohru, Shimla was awarded with the “Best KVK of Himachal Pradesh Award” in 2018.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra Rohru, Shimla was adjudged as the “3rd Best KVK of Zone 1” for the year 2021 out of total 69 KVK’s in Zone 1.