Srinagar: Kissan Samman Diwas was celebrated in the Directorate of Extension which was presided over by Prof.Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi Director Extension, Prof. Sarfaraz A. Wani, Director Research, Deans of the Subject Matter faculties, programme coordinators of all KVKs, Scientists of Directorate of Extension and KVKs and farmers of all the districts were present on the occasion. Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, Director Agriculture also joined the function. The main aim of the function was to felicitate 05 innovative farmers from each district recommended by respective KVKs for their outstanding contribution in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.
The programme included power point presentations depicting the success stories of the awardee farmers who have done tremendous work in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.
Before awarding the farmers a YouTube channel developed by Directorate of Extension SKUAST-Kashmir by the name “SounZirat” was launched by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai.
Vice Chancellor felicitated the farmers by presenting the certificates of appreciation and mementos. In his address to the farmers and extension functionariesVice-Chancellor envisionedJammu and Kashmir to prosper in agriculture economy taking a lead over rest of the nation. He stressed upon the use of modern technologies in agriculture and allied sectors includingon field execution of agriculture activities, processing valued addition and marketing. Upholding the vision of transforming J&K into an organic UT he stressed upon the promotion of organic technologies in all the sectors. During the event he lauded the concerted efforts of SKUAST-Kashmir and line departments in handholding of the farmers as a lead to agriculture based economy. Among the felicitated farmers he made a special mention of highly qualified farmers from international universities who preferred farming over government employment and introduced the latest farming and marketing techniques including e-commerce. In his concluding remarks, the Vice-Chancellor informed the house that a policy paper for the next 10 years will be framed in consultation with all the stakeholders to place the UT of J&K at number one as per the Niti Ayog farmers income ranking. Besides desired that every success stories of all the innovative farmers should be uploaded on the University website.Vice-Chancellor stressed on holding of KisanMelas in every district which should start from the year 2022.
Director Extension in his address hailed the farmers for their excellent contribution and bringing laurels to the UT’s of J&K &Ladakh at National level. He also lauded the KVKs for their efforts in shaping the futuristic farming in their respective districts.
During the programme some of the leading farmers from the valley revealed their success stories.
The awardefarmers namely GH .Mohamamd Mir of KVK Shopian while revealing his success story informed the house that he is not only generating income for himself only but is also providing employment to the unemployed youth of his village. Adnan an MBA from the UK has changed the marketing trend by selling apple packs through e-commerce.
Javid Ahamd Dar,a Post Doctorate from Harvard University without taking any loan from the banks has established his food processing unitand is providing employment to the rural youth. Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh, KVK Kupwara has an exemplary work in hybrid seed production in Maize by taking the quality material and technical guidance from SKUAST-Kashmir
The programme ended with a vote of thanks to the chair.

KR Desk