Mega one-day awareness prog at KVK Malangpora
Awantipora: Krishi Vigyan Kendra/Extension Training Centre (KVK/ETC) Malangpora, Pulwama, affiliated with Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir (SKUAST-K), organized a one-day mega Awareness cum Popularization Programme focused on “Promotion and Value Addition of Medicinal Plants in Kashmir Valley”.
This enlightening event took place at the KVK Malangpora’s auditorium and was part of the Innovative Extension Approaches under HADP Project No. 20.
A diverse audience comprising progressive farmers, students from government Degree Colleges Pulwama and Tral, and enthusiasts interested in the agricultural sector participated in the programme, SKUAST-K officials told Kashmir Reader.
The primary goal of the event was to instill an entrepreneurial spirit among educated rural youth and encourage investment in the relatively untapped medicinal plant sector, aiming to generate employment opportunities, they said.
Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The inaugural session also saw the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, Director Extension SKUAST-K; Prof. H.R. Naik, Director Planning; Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Pulwama, Mansoor Ahmad, Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Pulwama, officers from 64th Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) and officers from SKUAST Kashmir, along with heads of various Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and scientists from KVK Pulwama.
Dr. Javaid Ahmad Mugloo, Professor and Head of KVK Pulwama, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and provided an overview of the program’s objectives.
In his address, the VC SKUAST-K emphasized the importance of job creation through entrepreneurship development. He encouraged young participants to leverage the recently introduced HADP schemes to make their farming practices sustainable and economically viable. He also inaugurated the newly-renovated auditorium, dedicating it to the local farming community.
Prof. (Dr.) Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, Director Extension SKUAST-K, elaborated on the purpose of such training programs and advised the educated participants to maximize the benefits from these skill-oriented initiatives.
A noteworthy aspect of the event was the installation of a stall showcasing various products derived from medicinal plants native to the Kashmir Valley, adhering to the principle that seeing is believing.
The programme featured lectures delivered by Dr. Gowher Nabi, Coordinator from the Forests of Kashmir (FoF) Benhama, which were divided into two technical sessions.Dr. Ajaz A. Ganie, Scientist in Animal Science, Skillfully moderated the programme, and it concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Rukhsar Ahmad Dar, Scientist at KVK Pulwama, officials told Kashmir Reader.
VC Prof Ganai, while speaking to the media, said, “Today, we organized a one-day awareness program at our KVK Malangpora for our educated youth and schoolchildren. The objective of this awareness program is to teach our children how to acquire skills and become entrepreneurs. Our university has a significant goal to start approximately 555 short-skill programmes, and under the HAPD initiative, we are launching numerous programs.”
He further explained that the aim of these programs is to empower these children to stand on their own feet and become job providers rather than just seekers.
Prof Nazir added, “The approval for these 555 programs has been granted, and we have conveyed this message through social media to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. These 555 programs will be made available on the university website, allowing interested individuals to apply online.”
He emphasized that people from across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh can select their desired training program through the website and apply for it.
Furthermore, he noted that among all the universities and colleges across the country, the Ministry of MSME has sanctioned the highest number of programs to SKUAST-Kashmir, reflecting the university’s commitment to providing valuable skills to the youth.