BANDIPORA: Director Extension, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, on Saturday visited KVK Bandipora-1 to review its research, frontline demonstrations and agricultural extension programmes aimed at strengthening farmer-centric innovations in the district.
Prof. Kanth was received by Dr Tariq Sultan, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Bandipora-1, who presented an overview of the Centre’s ongoing research, extension initiatives, frontline demonstrations and technology dissemination programmes.
As part of the visit, Prof. Kanth toured the Centre’s lotus and makhana demonstration plots, water chestnut units, paddy research fields, high-tech greenhouses and other research and demonstration facilities. She reviewed the technologies being promoted and appreciated their potential to drive crop diversification, enhance farm productivity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers.
During her interaction with scientists and staff, Prof. Kanth emphasized the need to further strengthen research-extension linkages to ensure faster and wider dissemination of scientific innovations at the grassroots. She called for expanding field demonstrations, farmer capacity-building programmes and timely technical advisories to help farming communities address emerging agricultural challenges.
Appreciating the Centre’s efforts, she commended KVK Bandipora-1 for promoting location-specific technologies in lotus, makhana, water chestnut, protected cultivation and improved paddy production. She observed that these interventions have considerable potential to diversify farming systems, improve productivity and enhance farmers’ incomes across the district.
Concluding the visit, Prof. Kanth lauded the Centre for maintaining high-quality research and demonstration facilities and reaffirmed SKUAST-K’s commitment to strengthening research and extension programmes. She expressed confidence that KVK Bandipora-1 would continue to serve as a model centre for technology dissemination and farmer empowerment through science-led, need-based interventions.