Srinagar: A Regional Level Sensitization cum Review Meeting on Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) was chaired by Chief General Manager Dr. A.K Sood here at SKUAST-K campus Shalimar.
Dr Dil Mohamaad Makhdoomi, Director Extension SKUAST-K, Manohar Lal DGM NABARD, Dr. Masood Saleem Mir, Associate Director Research and senior officers from R&B (PWD), Jalshakti (P.H.E), Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC)and other officers from NABARD also participated in the meeting.
CGM NABARDDr. A.K. Sood in his inaugural address stated that since inception NABARD has sanctioned around 3770 projectsunder various sectors like irrigation, agriculture, social sector and rural connectivity in J&K to the tune of more than 7500 crores.He advised that there are still gaps in the infrastructure requirement of UT of J&K particularly in post-harvest infrastructure requirements of horticulture and agriculture. He stated that in addition to the funding from RIDF, the infrastructure gaps can also be voided to a maximum extent by funding from NIDA (NABARD Infrastructure Development Assistance) in J&K.
Dr. Extension SKUAST-K, Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi highlighted the role of creation of infrastructure in the generation of employment in the region. DGM NABARD, Manohar Lal stressed upon timely completion of projects in RIDF to ensure desired benefits to the society.
A detailed Presentation on RIDF was made by Dr. Asif Bhat of NABARD during the Meeting.
On sidelines of the meeting, the CGM NABARD also held a meeting with newly appointed VC of SKUAST K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie and congratulated him on his appointment as Vice Chancellor, SKUAST- Kashmir. The two held discussions on a wide range of issues like development of agri-incubation centres in the region, collaboration on the promotion of FPOs, promotion of niche crops in Kashmir region and strengthening of PACS for holistic agriculture development.

KR Desk