Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Governor, N.N Vohra, Chancellor of the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology- Jammu emphasized the importance of all existing courses being critically reviewed to introduce modified or new courses, as required, keeping in view the geographical and climatic conditions of the State and the emerging job markets. He said this while chairing the 11th Council meeting of SKUAST-Jammu at Raj Bhavan, today. The Chancellor said that every effort must be made to ensure that no seat, in any discipline, remains unfilled in the ensuing Academic Session.
Keeping in view the decision of ICAR’s team for selecting the sites for establishing Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the Governor asked the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Pradeep K. Sharma, to most urgently follow up with all the concerned authorities for securing possession of suitably located lands for the KVKs to be set up at Samba, Ramnagar and Ramban. He said that KVKs are the nerve centres for the transfer of agricultural technologies to the farmers and thus act as crucial instruments for enhancing agri-productivity and production in the State on a sustained basis.
The Chancellor urged the VC to ensure optimum utilization of physical infrastructure, manpower and other logistics and resources available with the Farm Universities and also focus on developing strong linkages between the two Farm Universities, line departments and extension agencies of the Government. He observed that the actual outcome of the decisions taken in this regard should be analyzed and follow up action should be taken on a regular basis.
The Chancellor asked Asgar Hassan Samoon, Commissioner, Agriculture Production Department to formulate an Action Plan to increase the production of meat, poultry, fish and dairy products in the State. He also emphasized the importance of collecting data related to suitability and acceptance of new varieties of seeds at micro level and to prioritize the value addition of the local agricultural products along with introduction of the substantial agricultural brands in the market. He urged the VC to see that the achievements of progressive farmers are properly documented and their success stories given wide spread publicity.
The Chancellor observed that the Picanut Mission should be taken up on an extensive scale in the State under Horticulture Technology Mission to benefit the farmers. He asked the VCs of both the Universities to motivate the people towards community participation for the total eradication of Lantana weed.
Regarding the revision of Statutes of the State Agricultural Universities, the Chancellor asked the Vice Chancellors of both the Universities to jointly review the Statutes and list the provisos which require to be amended on a time bound basis. It was urged upon both the Universities to propose establishment of new schools and courses, preferably on self sustainable basis.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Pradeep K. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, 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, Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Commissioner/Secretary, Agriculture Production, Dr. Manjit Singh Kang, Former Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and Dr. B. B. Gupta, Registrar, SKUAST, Jammu.
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