Srinagar: An eight-day high-end skill workshop on ‘Hi-Tech Nursery Techniques for the Production of Elite Clones and New Varieties of Temperate Fruits’ concluded at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus.
The workshop was organised by the SKUAST-K’s Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture under the sponsorship of the Vigyan Accelerate Karyashala Scheme by DST-SERB. Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology Department, Saurabh Bhagat was the chief guest at the occasion.
Bhagat, while speaking at the valedictory function, highlighted the importance of skill training and the development of entrepreneurial skills. The chief guest in his remarks termed the event as an amalgamation of different states representing the true reflection of national integration. Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahamd Ganai emphasized the significance of hi-tech nurseries in the contemporary emerging scenario of growing health consciousness and subsequent promotion of cultivation of high-value crops to meet the consumers’ nutraceutical requirements. He urged the students to stay abreast of emerging high-end technologies in fruit science and encouraged them to explore entrepreneurship opportunities to become self-reliant and act as ambassadors of SKUAST-K.
Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, Prof Shabir Ahmad Wani, expressed hope that the students will derive substantial benefits from the workshop, which offered hands-on training.
Dr Nowsheen Nazir, the event organizer and associate professor in the Division of Fruit Science, presented a detailed report on the workshop, outlining the various topics and activities covered during the eight days of training. The workshop saw the enthusiastic participation of twenty-five students from esteemed institutes and universities across India, including AMU, PAU, JNU, Meerat University, and SKUAST-J. Experts from different institutions delivered a total of twenty-six lectures and conducted practical sessions during the workshop. The event was attended by heads of the divisions, scientists and other students. Dr Shameem Ahmad Simnani, Professor, and Head of the Division of Fruit Science, presented the vote of thanks.

KR Desk