Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Aug 11: Lt Gen SK Upadhya, GOC, HQ 14 Corps, inaugurated two-day “Ladakhi Kisan-Jawan Vigyan Mela” organized by Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), here today.
DIG ITBP, Jai Pal Yadav, DIHAR Director, Dr O P Chaurasia, Army officers, civil society, NGOs, Agriculturists and progressive farmers were present on the occasion.
Appreciating the DIHAR contribution to local people as well as the army, Lt General SK Upadhya said that every technology developed by DIHAR has had a great impact on everyone including the army. “They have done wonderful job,” he said, adding that DIHAR has successfully worked with local famers and the LAHDC besides the army.
Lt General Upadhya said that the army is in touch with DIHAR on a daily basis. Appreciating the local produce of Ladakhi famers, he mentioned that 45 percent of the requirement of vegetables is made by local organic produces. Gen Upadhya added that the army gets a lot of assistances from DIHAR and number of activities are being undertaken to take care of health issues of soldiers posted in Ladakh.
DIG, ITBP, Jai Pal Yadav, said this annual mela, which popularly known as FRL Mela among locals, is a good platform to showcase the produce of locals and also to learn about agricultural activities at DIHAR.
Earlier, welcoming the guests, Dr OP Chaurasia briefed about DIHAR’s activities and the objective of the Mela being organized. Being the 25th one, the Kisan-Jawan-Vigyan Mela, is celebrating its silver jubilee.
He informed that initially the lab was established to provide fresh food items to the army through the farmers. Over the decades, DIHAR has carried out researches in high altitude agriculture and animal sciences and made several breakthroughs. DIHAR closely works with LAHDC, the army, the State Government and local NGOs, Dr Chaurasia added.
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