Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 12: N N Vohra, Governor, has underscored the crucial importance of ensuring most effective coordination among the Agricultural Universities and each of the various extension agencies of the Government for pooling expertise and resources for securing sustained growth of agriculture and its allied sectors, which are vital contributors to the economy.
The Governor, was addressing the Valedictory Session of the 3-day 21st Annual Conference of Agricultural Economics Research Association (AERA), India”, hosted by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST)-Kashmir, here today. The theme of the Conference was “Sustainable Agricultural Growth for Improving Rural Livelihood”.
The Governor, who is Chancellor of the SKUAST-Kashmir, observed that we need to evolve agro-climatic zone-wise viable approaches for securing the objective of sustainable growth of agriculture, particularly for speedily improving rural livelihood security. Referring to the serious adverse impact of the emerging challenges of global warming and climate change on agriculture and its allied sectors, he urged the agri-scientists and agri-economists to come up with appropriate approaches for effectively mitigating these concerns and ensuring sustainable growth of agriculture, as the livelihood of very large chunk of population is dependent on this sector.
He observed that time is running out and we can not brook any delay in evolving the required technologies, methodologies, cropping patterns, new seeds and plant materials and whatever else is required to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change and global warming on agriculture and its allied sectors.
In this context, he called for pilot projects being launched on time bound basis to establish area and crop specific demonstration plots of vegetables, cereals, pulses and oilseeds to enlarge the farmers’ awareness about improved agri-techniques and technologies and at the same time assessing the efficacy of these approaches. Referring to the various recommendations of the Conference, the Governor observed that if success is to be achieved all the recommended approaches would need to be put into modules and ways and means found to implement them within a given time frame.
Referring to the theme of the Conference, the Governor observed that rural livelihood security is extremely important for establishing a more harmonious, developed and prosperous society.
Four publications were released on this occasion, including the Conference Volume released by the Governor.
The Governor was honoured on the occasion by presenting to him a memento by Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir.
Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, speaking on the occasion, said that the Conference provided a valuable platform for the eminent and young scientists to sit together and hold brain storming working sessions for evolving required approaches for sustainable growth of agriculture. He also dwelt on the present and emerging issues relating to the mountain agriculture. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the growth of the University as well as of the agriculture and its allied sectors in the State.
Dr. P. G. Chengappa, President, Agricultural Economics Research Association, gave a resume of the deliberations and the recommendations of the 3-day Conference.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Dr. Shafiq A. Wani, Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir, spoke about the aims and objects of organizing this Conference.
Dr. M. H. Wani, Organizing Secretary of the Conference, presented & vote of thanks.
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