Srinagar: One-Day workshop on “Identification of Production, Processing and Marketing related Problems in Apple and its Redressal, taking Apple Legacy Forward: From Science to Society’ was jointly conducted by Division of Fruit Science, SKUAST Kashmir and Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), Department of Science and Technology, under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir, Prof. Nazir A Ganai. The workshop was also attended by the Director Extension, Director Research, Dean Faculty of Horticulture, Head Division of Fruit Science, Professors and Scientists of various Divisions of SKUAST-Kashmir and progressive apple growers/orchardists of Kashmir valley including the tribal farmers from district Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora.
Prof.Nazir A Ganai, Honourable Vice-Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir highlighted the importance of such workshops and the role of the University in taking science to farmers. He appreciated the progressive apple growers for their vision, hard work and passion for apple farming. He also highlighted the importance of adoption of new technologies like high density plantations, diversification of crops, market intelligence, advanced grading & packaging systems and emphasized upon the importance of quality apple production. He also assured full university support for the early redressal of the problems put forward by the apple growers.
The organising secretary, Dr.Abdul Rouf Malik, Assistant Professor Fruit science and PI TIFAC, DST funded project welcomed the august gathering and gave a brief description of the workshop and its relevance. Prof.Shabir A Wani, Dean Faculty of Horticulture briefed the apple growers regarding the trends in apple market and fluctuations thereof. Prof Shamim A.Simnani, Head Division of Fruit Science spoke about the common problems faced by the apple growers and thanked the gathering for making the workshop a success.
The workshop aimed at analysing the various problems faced by the apple growers of Kashmir valley in the different on and off-farm activities to serve as preliminary study for further line of action in carrying this legacy crop forward and help the Kashmir apple sustain better at the national and international level. The progressive apple farmers thanked the university for the guidance and support they have received from time to time and discussed the issues they are facing in the production, processing and marketing of the apple. The workshop also included a technical session for interaction between the apple growers and subject matter scientists of the University for on-spot redressal of the problems faced by the growers.

KR Desk