*Lays foundation stone for newly sanctioned faculties
Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Mar 7: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today inaugurated the five-day long ‘Kisan Mela’ at SKUAST, Jammu. The Lt Governor also laid foundation stone for newly sanctioned faculties of Horticulture & Forestry, Agricultural Engineering and Dairy Technology.
The Lt Governor congratulated the University for bringing entrepreneurs, technocrats, policymakers and farmers from J&K, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand on a common platform. The exchange of ideas and knowledge will encourage agricultural innovation and motivate farmers to adopt productive techniques, he added. The Lt Governor enlisted various initiatives taken by the government for the welfare of the farming community. We are making efforts to increase productivity through infusion of traditional knowledge, modern science and technology, providing improved marketing facilities and resolving several other issues like power, irrigation, cheaper credit and rural infrastructure, the Lt Governor said. A renewed thrust is being given to organic farming to bring about a paradigm shift in agrarian policy, rural prosperity and improving the incomes and the quality of life of the farmers, added the Lt Governor. He also highlighted the farmer-centric reforms introduced by the government in the last two years to empower farmers of J&K, increasing their income manifold and making them AatmaNirbhar. The UT of J&K is now among the top five States/UTs in terms of farm income with a monthly income of Rs 18,918 per farmer, he added. Greater diversification into high-value crops, value addition through agro-processing and market-linkages are taking our agriculture & horticulture sector to new heights and ensuring inclusive growth process. The improved air connectivity has given new boost to the horticulture sector, the Lt Governor said The UT Government is constantly striving to provide farmers with direct access to modern technologies, encouraging natural farming to improve profitability & sustainability in agriculture & allied sectors, observed the Lt Governor. Aggressive marketing & branding of local agri-products, mechanization in Agriculture and Horticulture sector, High-Density Plantation, diversification, better quality seeds, capacity buildings, GI Tagging, expansion of banking facilities, micro-irrigation has achieved rich dividends for farmers and have brought a structural change in agriculture and horticulture sector, he added. ‘Vocal for Local’ has opened up a plethora of opportunities for everyone associated with the Agriculture & allied sectors to grow and prosper. We are also bringing National & International players on board for enhancing the knowledge expertise and providing global market linkages to J&K’s farming community, the Lt Governor further added. The Lt Governor asked the Agriculture Universities of J&K to work on mission mode to connect more farmers with organic farming & horticulture and make them acquainted with the latest scientific know-hows. 500 enterprising farmers will be provided with handholding, knowledge-based intervention every year to harness the potential of organic produce, announced the Lt Governor. Bridging the rural-gap is among the top priorities of the UT administration. A strong framework is being developed to increase employment and connect rural youth with the agriculture & horticulture industry. Administration will extend all possible support to the Youth involved in agricultural start-ups, the Lt Governor observed. Meanwhile, the Lt Governor felicitated progressive farmers, entrepreneurs, media persons and meritorious students of the University. Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers’ Welfare and Horticulture congratulated SKUAST-Jammu for getting the foundation of the new faculties laid by Lt Governor. He asked the Department of Agriculture and other line departments along with the university to continue working in tandem to reach the farming community with all the facilities at the door steps. In his welcome address, Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu highlighted the activities of the University and said that five-day Kisan Mela-2022 on Natural and Modern technologies is focusing on demonstration and exhibition of proven and improved technologies developed by the university. Dr. S. K. Gupta, Director Extension, SKUAST-J presented the vote of thank. Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, Vice Chairperson, KVIB; Prof. Bechan Lal, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu; Dr. Manoj Dhar, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu; Prof. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, GADVAS University; Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Ravinder Kumar, Secretary to Ladakh Government; Shyam Bihari Gupt, Member, Kisan Samridhi Aayog; HoDs of concerned departments; faculty members of SKUAST-J, besides scores of farmers were present on the occasion.
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