One day training program on “Soil and Water Conservation Technologies for Natural Resource Management” was organized on 24th January, 2021 under Government of India's Scheduled Caste Sub Plan at Village Khoi, District Panchkula, Haryana. Village Khoi is 100 per cent Scheduled Cast dominated village and hence the village has been adopted by the Chandigarh center under SCSP program. The training program started at 11:00 am with the registration of farmers of Khoi village.
A total of 104 farmers attended the program which included 62 males and 42 female farmers. The farmers were apprised of the importance of new technologies related to soil and water conservation, horticulture and agriculture by the scientists (Dr. Ram Prashad, Dr. O.P. Premi, DR. pankaj Panwar, Dr. Sharmishta Pal, Dr. Pempa Lamu Bhutia and Er. Manoj Kumar) and Technicians (Dr. Nyonand, Sh. Harish Sharma and Sh. Basudeo) of the Research Center, Chandigarh. The concluding session of the training was graced by Dr. R.S. Yadav, Director and Sh. S.K. Gajmoti, Chief Administrative Officer from ICAR - Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun. Dr. Pankaj Panwar briefed the Chief Guest about the activities being carried out in the village which included water harvesting, water conveyance, power sprayers, seeds and fertilizer distribution, livelihood support by providing carpenter, mechanical, missioner, stone missioner tool kits and small agricultural tools like spade, pick axe, axe and kurphi etc.
Dr. Yadav appreciated the work done by the scientist and technical staff of Chandigarh center specially water conveyance from around 2 km distance for drinking and irrigation purposes and advised the farmers of the village to discuss their agriculture and soil and water conservation related problems with the scientist so that it can be resolved within the budget availability in the scheme. On the occasion, the Director, Chief Administrative Officer and Head of Center distributed the tool kits and small agriculture implements to the famers of Khoi Village. During the program COVID guidelines were followed and all participants were provided with face masks and hands were sanitized before entry in the training program site.