SKUAST-Kashmir bagged 5 awards

SRINAGAR: Three days Annual workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras for 2021 of Zone-I concluded here with SKKUAST Kashmir bagging 5 awards.
The workshop was conducted during under the umbrella of Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone-I, Ludiana.All the 70 KVKs of Zone –I participated in the Inaugural session of the workshop.
The workshop has been organized with the aim to evaluate the work done reports for the year 2020-21 and approval of Action Plan for the year 2021-22 of KVKs of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttrakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. T. Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR) New Delhi who was Chief Guest, on the occasion. Dr. B. S Dhillon Former Vice chancellor, PAU Ludhiana was guest of Honour. Prof J. P Sharma Vice Chancellor SKAUT-Jammu and SKUAT-Kashmir in his opening remarks stressed upon patenting of technologies developed by SKAUST- Kashmir as well as Jammu. He said that KVKs and research stations are contributing to the development of the agricultural system and it is appreciated at all levels.
Prof. Sharma informed that based on one district one product SKUAT-Kashmir has identified different potential enterprises like saffron for Pulwama and walnut for Kupwara etc. to enhance the farmer’s income. He also emphasized that Kala Zeera, saffron and High Density orchards are our priority areas.
Prof Sharma further said that another focus area which needs priority is processing and value addition as processing at national level is 7 percent and in vegetables it is 1-2 percent whereas J&K UT is processing only 1 percent of the agricultural commodities. He said KVKs of SKAUST-Jammu are vigorously working in the processing and value addition area for increasing the income to farmers to many folds.
Seed replacement rate, participatory seed production programme, climate smart agriculture etc. are other areas need focus on priority, he added. Prof. Sharma also informed that gathering that SKUAT-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir both have been designated as Cluster Based business organizations for establishment of FPOs and their handholding and this is the area where KVK can play their role.
Other dignitaries who spoke in inaugural session included Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG (Agri.Ext.) ICAR, New Delhi Dr. H. K. Chaudhary, Vice-Chancellor, CSKHPKV Palampur Dr. Ajeet Kumar Karnatak Vice-Chancellor VCSG UUHF, Bharsar Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor GADVASU Ludhiana, Dr. Parvinder Kaushal Vice- Chancellor Dr. YS Parmar UHF, Solan Dr. Tej Pratap Vice-Chancellor GBPAUT, Pantnagar Dr. Rajbir Singh Director, ICAR-ATARI Ludhiana and Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi Director Extension, SKUAST-Kashmir.
Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi Director Extension, SKUAST-Kashmir presented the detailed overview of technological backstopping of KVK staff and extension activities of SKUAST-Kashmir and he was chairman of Technical session of the workshop in which 23 presentation were made 7 from Jammu, 9 from Kashmir &4 from Ladakh by respective Heads of Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
During the plenary session of the workshop, KVK Kulgam received the Best KVK of the Zone-IAward, KVK Anantnag – Best KVK Award while KVK Reasi-Second Best KVK Award in J&K. Among presentations during the workshop, KVK Ganderbal received the Best Presentation Award and Second Best presentation award was won by KVK Jammu in J&K and Best Presentation Awardby KVK Zanskar in Ladakh region.
The awardees ofKrishi Vigyan Kendras congratulated SKUAST-Kashmir leadership. The Honorable Vice-Chancellor Prof. J. P. Sharma under whose guidance and directions the KVKs work and Prof Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi Director Extension for his mentorship and untiring efforts.
The workshop was concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr. Arvind Kumar, Principal Scientist, ICAR-ATARI Ludhiana.

KR Desk