From Campus to Fields – Eternal University Engages Farmers Through Rural Extension Visit

Strengthening the connection between research and rural communities, a multidisciplinary team from Eternal University, Baru Sahib visited the villages of Neri Nawan and Chunnar in Pachhad Block of Sirmaur district. The visit was conducted as part of the university’s extension initiative to directly engage with farmers and understand their real challenges.

Understanding Ground Realities in Rural Agriculture

During the interaction, the team observed that most farmers in these villages operate on small landholdings and primarily depend on vegetable-based farming for their livelihood. Despite their dedication, farmers face several challenges that affect productivity and income.

Key issues identified included

• Limited knowledge of effective pest control methods
• Declining soil health and water access challenges
• Price fluctuations in agricultural markets
• Limited value addition opportunities
• Low digital literacy among farmers

The team also noted that government schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) were not being fully utilized due to lack of awareness and guidance.

Farmers Express Their Key Needs

During discussions, farmers openly shared the kind of support they need to improve their agricultural practices and livelihoods. Their priorities included

• Modern agricultural training and updated farming techniques
• Guidance on soil health and pest management
• Support for food processing and market linkages
• Digital advisory services and health awareness camps

The interaction revealed a strong willingness among farmers to learn new techniques and adopt modern solutions if proper training and support are provided.

Building a Data-Driven Rural Development Approach

The visit was not just a routine field trip. It served as an important step toward building structured and data-driven rural intervention programs that can address the specific needs of farming communities.

By connecting academic expertise with real-world agricultural challenges, Eternal University aims to develop practical solutions that can improve productivity, sustainability, and farmers’ livelihoods.

Because meaningful change begins where the soil meets the solution.