Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 16: Vice-Chancellor (VC), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir Prof Nazir Ahmad today inspected the proposed sites for establishing the Walnut Research Centre at Kulangam and High Density Plantation Research Centre at Udipora.
He was accompanied by scientists of SKUAST College Wadoodra and District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kupwara Khalid Jahangir
While inspecting the proposed site for establishment of Walnut Research Centre at Kulangam, it was given out that 209 kanals of land for the project has been identified earlier by the KVK Kupwara for the purpose, while at Udipora langate, 190 kanals of land has been identified for the establishment of campus of KVK Kupwara in consultation with Wadura Agriculture College.
On the occasion, several public deputations met DDC Kupwara and projected their demands relating to improvement in socio economic condition of the farmers and orchardists so that they may be able to avail the facilities through reviving of their traditional as well as new scientific methods of new technology in farming and horticulture produce through efforts taken by the SKUAST-K, KVK Kupwara under the guidelines of the agriculture scientists.
DDC assured VC and his team of officers to help the farmers in enhancing productivity of paddy, introduction of commercial vegetable cultivation and high altitude farming for areas likes Machil, Keran, Tangadar, etc.
VC said that Government is mulling to establish the processing unit for the walnut growers to provide them all facilities including processing, cleaning, and packaging under one roof. The unit will provide better market facilities in and outside the State, he added.
He stressed upon that farmers to avail all the new technologies and should remain connected with scientists at local KVK centers for the progressive farming. Prof Nazir stressed that farmers should preserve the local seed varieties which he said were unique in quality and have better taste.
Prof Sheikh Bilal Dean SKUAST, Peerzada Shafat Deevani KVK Head Kupwara, Tehsildars Handwara and Langate, DySP Farooq Ahmad and other officers were also present on the occasion.