The Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal today urged upon the scientists at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu to accelerate the process of bringing the technology to the fields to make agriculture a profitable activity.
Addressing the participants at the inaugural function of 2 day Kissan Mela organized by the Varsity to involve local farmers in fixing the priorities in the research initiatives, the Chief Secretary said that the 72 percent population of the State associated with agriculture and its allied sectors have great hopes from SKUAST and it should come up to their expectations.
He said that the university has direct interaction with the farmers which would help it to look into the priorities to ensure the socio- economic uplift of the farming community. He said that the university was doing well and hoped that it would continue to meet challenges ahead, particularly with regard to making agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir a profitable activity and at the same time help the State to achieve the crucial goal of self sufficiency in the food.
Chief Secretary asked the SKUAST authority to organize such events at block level as that would help farmers to share their experience and know about new techniques in various types of farming.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor SKUAST, Jammu, Dr. B. Mishra said the University has completed 12 years of its existence in the service of farming community. He said that during this period the university has made rapid progress in education, research and extension services. The academic excellence, need based research and support through extension services for enhanced livelihood security of farmers have made a presence felt among the clientele.
While addressing the gathering of farmers Commissioner/ Secretary, Agriculture Production Department Shaleen Kabra said that the Kissan Mela provides a platform to the stakeholders in the field of agriculture viz farmers, livestock owners, agri-business and industry, entrepreneurs, researchers, technocrats, extension workers and students to discuss, demonstrate, deliver and exhibit technologies and knowledge for benefit of agrarian community. He said it was only forum of its kind where policy makers, Government officials and likeminded organizations come together to have a dialogue with the farmers and where innovative technologies of farming are demonstrated to the farmers.
Director Research, Dr. I. S. Blai gave a detailed resume of the activities of the University.
About 5000 farmers mostly from Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Udhampur and the neighboring states of Punjab Himachal and Haryana including farm women, livestock owners, entrepreneurs, NGOs, Scientists scholars participated in the Kissan Mela to interact and exchange their views and experience.
Earlier, Chief Secretary went around the stalls installed by various progressive farmers for showcasing their varieties. The agricultural inputs were also put on display in the exhibition.
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