JAMMU: In a significant initiative to strengthen farmers' knowledge and promote the cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs), the Member Legislative Assembly Nagrota Devyani Rana today flagged off a seven-day exposure visit of farmers to Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, from the Chief Agriculture Office, Jammu under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) – MAP Clusters.

The exposure visit comprises 50 farmers from Keri, Sarote and Mathwar villages (MAP Cluster Mathwar) in Sub-Division Marh Jammu, who will gain first-hand exposure to advanced technologies, scientific cultivation practices, value addition, processing and marketing strategies related to medicinal and aromatic plants through interactions with experts, research institutions and progressive farmers in Palampur.

The flag-off ceremony was attended by District Agriculture Officer, Jammu Vinod Khajuria, Subject Matter Specialist (District Level) Munshi Ram Rukwal, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer Marh Khalid Hassan Tantri, Subject Matter Specialist (Sub-Division Level) Vishali Bagal, besides field officers and officials of the Agriculture Department.

Speaking on the occasion, the MLA emphasized the importance of exposure visits in equipping farmers with practical knowledge and innovative farming techniques. She said that the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme is transforming the agriculture sector by creating new opportunities for diversification, entrepreneurship and higher farm incomes. She urged the participating farmers to actively engage during the visit, learn modern cultivation and post-harvest management practices and disseminate the acquired knowledge among fellow farmers upon their return. She also appreciated the Agriculture Department for organizing such capacity-building initiatives for the farming community.

SDAO Marh informed that the exposure visit has been organized to enable farmers from MAP clusters to gain practical insights into successful cultivation models, quality planting material production, processing technologies and market linkages. He expressed confidence that the visit would motivate farmers to adopt scientific practices and contribute towards the sustainable development of the medicinal and aromatic plant sector in Jammu district.

The participating farmers expressed gratitude to the Agriculture Department for providing them with the opportunity to visit reputed institutions and interact with experts, which would help them improve productivity, quality and profitability of their farming enterprises. The programme concluded with the flagging off of the farmers' contingent amidst best wishes from the dignitaries and officials for a productive and successful learning experience.

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In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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