Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16 : N. N. Vohra, Governor and Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, today emphasized the high importance of making Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) as nerve centres for transfer of agricultural technologies to the farmers to progressively enhance agri-productivity and production in the State on a sustained basis.
The Governor and the Chief Minister were addressing the 9th meeting of the University Council of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu, at Raj Bhavan here today.
The Governor observed that for securing sustained growth of agriculture and its allied sectors, all of which are vital contributors to the J&K’s economy, it is most urgently essential to ensure effective coordination among the two Farm Universities of the State and each of the various extension agencies of the Government to achieve the desired objectives.
In this context, the Governor called for pilot projects being launched on time bound basis to establish area and crop specific demonstration plots of vegetables, cereals, pulses and oilseeds and publicizing the success stories to enlarge the farmers’ awareness of improved agri-techniques and technologies.
He further observed that all available resources and expertise should be optimally utilized for producing quality seeds of various crops and ensuring their timely supply to the farmers. He added that possibilities should also be explored for encouraging promotion of “seed villages” to supplement the production of quality seeds.
While reviewing the status of cultivation of vegetables and other cash crops in various areas of the State, the Governor observed that wherever possible efforts need to be made to encourage the farmers to cultivate a third crop and all possibilities explored for promoting organic farming in the State. He also urged the adoption of a multi-disciplinary approach in this regard, adding that this can literally bring about a revolution in agri and allied sectors. He suggested for constituting a working group of experts to take a macro view for growth of agriculture sector on long-term basis.
Referring to the KVKs, the Governor stressed for establishing all these Kendras which are in the pipeline within fixed timelines for the benefit of the growers.
The Chief Minister, who is Pro-Chancellor of the University, emphasized the need for speedy completion of under-construction buildings and other infrastructure of the University for putting in place the envisaged facilities. He said that the implementation of these projects should be constantly monitored for completing them within the fixed timelines.
Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Forests, put forth several suggestions for the growth of agriculture and allied sectors in the State.
Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture, emphasized the need for optimum utilization of available resources and expertise for increasing seed production in the State and dwelt on the initiatives already being taken towards this direction. He also spoke about the issues relating to the promotion of organic farming as well as the certification and marketing of organic crops.
Raman Bhalla, Minister for Horticulture, dwelt on the future growth of the University as the need for urgently transforming agriculture and its allied sectors.
Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, said that efforts need to be further intensified for increasing the production of dairy, mutton, poultry and fish in the State.
Dr. D. K. Arora, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu, presented a detailed report on the status of teaching, research and extension activities undertaken by the varsity.
The meeting took stock of various research projects and other initiatives taken after the last meeting of the Council of the SKUAST-J, besides discussing other agenda items which included a review of the follow-up action in respect of various decisions taken at the last meeting.
The meeting was attended by Dr. A. R. Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipore; B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development; B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Principal Secretary, Finance; Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; M. K. Kumar, Additional Secretary, Agriculture; Prof. Farooq A. Zaki, Registrar, SKUAST, Kashmir; Ajay Khajuria, Director, Agriculture, Jammu; and Dr. B. B. Gupta, Registrar, SKUAST, Jammu.
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