JAMMU: CGM NABARD, R K Srivastava, Friday reviewed the progress of the projects sanctioned under Farm Sector Promotion Fund in Jammu & Kashmir along with Vice Chancellor of SKAUST- Jammu, Dr. J P Sharma, and Vice Chancellor of SKAUST- Kashmir, Prof. Mushtaq Ahmad.
Eminent Scientists implementing the projects at ground level across various districts of the UT and officers of NABARD were present at the review meet.
The projects viz ‘Vegetables and Fodder production through Hydroponics System’, ‘Empowerment of Rural Youth through Entrepreneurship Development in Pig Farming’, ‘Development of Bee Village for Collective Marketing of Honey’, etc in Jammu Region were discussed.
Outlining the financial assistance extended by NABARD in the UT towards promotion of technology transfer and innovation in agriculture, the CGM mentioned that with the economy returning back to normalcy the projects may be fast tracked so that the farming community is benefitted.
Vice Chancellor, SKAUST – Jammu emphasized that besides improving productivity, the focus should be on value addition to existing agriculture and allied produce along with necessary branding, packaging and marketing and promotion of local high value untapped produces such as pica nut, kala jeera, hing, etc. which will have a major impact on income enhancement of farming community.
Vice Chancellor, SKAUST- Kashmir appreciated the efforts of NABARD towards supporting technology transfer at field level through projects like ‘Establishment of dwarf variety of Walnut Seedlings under low Cost poly-house technique’, ‘Propagation of elite backyard birds for enhancing egg production in rural areas’, ‘Creation of Seed Hub in Maize by strengthening of Local Seed System for Enhancing Farmers Income’, etc. He advised the scientists to identify the ground level problems of farmers and address them through their projects.

KR Desk