SRINAGAR: One day Brainstorming Session on “Cricket Bat Willow cultivation in Kashmir : Prospectus and Entrepreneurship opportunities for wood based industries” was conducted at Faculty of Forestry, Benhama-Watlar, Ganderbal, SKUAST-K today on 29th October, 2021. The Chief guest of the occasion was Prof.(Dr.) J.P.Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K and the guest of Honour was Mohit Gera (IFS), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) & HOFF and Chairman Biodiversity Conservation, J & K Forest department, government of Jammu and Kashmir.
Professor T.H.Masoodi, Dean Faculty of Forestry, welcomed the Dignitaries and guests on the occasion. Dr Javaid A Mugloo, Organizing Secretary appraised the audience and gave a brief introduction of the programme and highlighted the importance of Cricket Bat Willow and encouraged the entrepreneurs to come forward and tap the potential of this industry. If we can produce good quality Cricket Bats, it can fetch a good market value in the national and international markets. He further said that the Gap between market supply and demand has to be minimized.
Mohit Gera (IFS) PCCF & HoFF, on the occasion said that we are having maximum plantations of willow in the valley but unfortunately we are not able to produce good quality cricket bats which can boost our economy. He congratulated the Vice chancellor , SKUAST-K and Faculty of Forestry for their wonderful work on willows and as well as in organizing such events which will benefit farmers in particular and the cricket bat industry in general.
Prof. J.P. Sharma (HVC) on the occasion said that we hope that J&K will be No. 1 as far as agricultural production is concerned, he said we have lot of potential in the shape of wood based industries and there would be no problem in the procuring of the best quality raw material. The climatic conditions are also good to support the growth of trees used in these industries. He was happy that the Faculty of forestry is moving ahead and is conducting such interactive programs for the farmers and entrepreneurs .
Prof. T.H.Masoodi (Dean, FoF) gave a detailed presentation which highlighted that there is almost no difference between English bat willow and Kashmiri bat willow but the cultivation method of Kashmiri bat willow is not carried out on scientific lines and cricket bats are not made from the actual cultivation of willows which is already available. He further said that this industry can become a best livelihood option for our young entrepreneurs . In Kashmir we are having 1400 sq kms under willow plantations and tentatively 37 million trees are growing in the region. After this inaugural session there was a brainstorming session which was conducted by Dr Akhlaq Amin Wani, Sr Scientist of the Faculty with Dr. Mohit Gera as Chairman. In this session a lot of issues confronting the willow bat industry were put forward for discussion in the session. Advocate Nadeem Qadri on the occasion said that more stringent measures should be adopted to control illegal trade of clefts.
The program was attended by Director Education, Prof. M.N.Khan, Director Extension, Prof. D.M.Makhdoomi, Director Research, Prof. Sarafaraz A Wani, Dean Horticulture, Prof S.A Wani, Controller Examinations, Prof K.N.Qaiser, ADR, Prof A.H.Mughal. Heads of the Divisions, Prof. S.A.Gangoo, Prof Aijazul Islam, Dr G.M.Bhat, Dr Syed Naseem Geelani and Dr Khursheed Ahmad. The Director Forest Research Institute, Dr Asif, Mehrajudin, Regional Director Social Forestry, Irfan (IFS), CF and various Dy. Conservators of the forest department attended the function. Sajad Nazir, Joint Director ,Department of Industries and Commerce also attended the event.
The co organizing secretaries , Dr P.A.Sofi, Dr Ashfaq Mir and Dr Megna Rashid and all other Scientific and administrative staff attended the event. The prominent Industrialists from wood based industry and our students participated in the program. On the occasion Director Planning and Monitoring Prof. N.A Ganie in his vote of thanks said that Branding of the industry is very important in the present era and thanked all the dignitaries and organizers of the event.

KR Desk