Agri varsity introduces course in drought management

Aurangabad: In a first-of-its kind initiative, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University in Parbhani has introduced a model training course in drought management.
Conceptualised in the wake of consecutive years of deficient monsoon in the region, including the drought during summer this year, the course aims at imparting knowledge about different stress management techniques for crops in case of water scarcity and effective water management among other lessons.
B V Asewar, chief scientist at the Parbhani-based university, said the training course has been evolved with due consultations from the ministry of agriculture. "The widespread failure of monsoon during 2014 and 2015 and increasing frequency of drought in the recent years have created the need for better preparedness, planning and response to mitigate adverse impact," he said.
The recent deficient monsoon, according to agricultural experts, affected crop production and even the groundwater level as it was claimed to have decreased to an alarming level.
"The main aim of designing the training course is to make stakeholders acquainted with various methods and measures to cope with drought for sustainable agriculture. The knowledge of drought management could give an edge to stakeholders, especially farmers, while battling out crisis times," Asewar said.
Climate change, monsoon behaviour, types of drought, rainwater harvesting and stress management in crops are some of the key topics that have found place in the course. Elaborating on the stress management component, Asewar said, "The course will lay emphasis on mulching practices, protective irrigation, integrated farming, soil health management, fodder and livestock management, integrated nutrient and pest management."
While the maiden session of the model training course is scheduled to take place from October 13, authorities said the timely initiative will be targeting government officials, who, in turn, can disseminate the knowledge to the farming community at large for drought management. D P Waskar, director of research at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University, and vice-chancellor B Venkateswarlu were also instrumental in designing and developing the course.
Established in 1972, the institution is one of the four agricultural universities in Maharashtra that was set up by the government for fulfilling regional aspirations of agrarian growth.