Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: Prof R K Gupta, Vice Chancellor of SKUAST Jammu discussed hill agriculture for self reliant India.
He was speaking in a panel discussion webinar, held on the topic “Role of hill agriculture in making India self-reliant”, organised by Agrivision, Uttaranchal in collaboration with GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology.
Prof Gupta was one of the panelists along with Dr M Premjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, Central University, Manipur; Dr A K Karnatak, Vice Chancellor, VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry and Dr M S Chouhan, Director, NDRI, Karnal.
Prof Gupta talked briefly about transition of Indian agriculture from ancient to medieval period and current era. He said green revolution made India self sufficient in food grain production but these gains have not been reaped in hill regions. He discussed problems of Northwestern Himalayan region with focus on UT of J&K. He laid emphasis on increasing production and productivity in various agro-climatic regions in sustainable manner with focus on field/horticulture crops (including Basmati rice, maize, saffron, walnut, medicinal herbs).
His focus was on preserving agro biodiversity and diversification with livestock, beekeeping,, mushroom, medicinal and aromatic plants, fisheries etc. In concluding remarks, he advocated structural changes for desired agricultural growth and doubling farmers’ income since agriculture is a State subject.
The webinar was attended by learned experts, student participants across the country.
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