JAMMU, FEBRUARY 16 (KNO) : Governor N.N. Vohra, Chancellor of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu (SKUAST-J), inaugurated a two day “Kisan Mela” at the Chatha Campus of the University today when Sh. Gulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Minister for Agriculture Production, and Sh. Daljit Singh Chib, Vice Chairman J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kisans were also present. This Mela has been organized on the theme of “Technology Driven Agriculture for Doubling Farmer’s Income”. Governor complimented the Vice Chancellor Dr. Pradeep K. Sharma, and his colleagues for the successful completion of 18 years of the University’s functioning.
He observed that in the past four years the University has achieved commendable progress in infrastructure development and enhancement in academic programmes. Governor emphasised the high importance of organising such ‘Melas’ at block and district levels so that a much larger number of farmers could be made aware of new technologies and techniques for increasing efficiency and productivity of agricultural operations. He suggested that an annual calendar for organising such ‘Melas’ should be evolved and these should become an important feature in all the district and block level extension activities.
Stressing the vital importance of implementing meaningful outreach programmes Governor called upon the Farm Universities and the State Government Agriculture Department and Banks to work very closely together to lay the foundation of the Second Green Revolution. He noted that the farmers need hand holding by our scientists and agriculture related departments who should develop support systems starting from the supply of quality seeds to the marketing of the agricultural produce at fair prices.
Governor noted that the State’s import bill for meat, poultry and eggs is approximately Rs. 2,000 crores per annum and both the University and Agriculture Department need to prepare a roadmap for making the State a net exporter of these products. Governor appreciated the work done by the University in making technological breakthroughs for enhancing the on-farm income of small-scale farm households in the state and observed that new models of agriculture being developed by the Varsity should be adopted by farmers to multiply their incomes.
Earlier, Governor visited the livestock show which was jointly set up by the livestock owners and the University. He also visited the exhibitions and stalls set up at the Mela by Agricultural Universities from neighbouring states, national institutes, agriculture and allied development departments of the state, banks, seed and plant protection industry, and different departments and the research centres of the university. He interacted with the farmers and scientists and appreciated the various initiatives taken by the University. Governor also visited the Technology Park of the University which has been developed to acquaint the persons of the line departments and the farmers about the latest technological developments with regard to crop improvement, productivity enhancement, natural resource and plant protection etc.
Governor released University’s ‘Balance Sheet 2013-14’and a ‘Farmer Friendly Poultry App’, which is a mobile application designed to help the farmers to assess the production potential and cost benefit ratio, amount of feed required, balance sheet of farmer’s expenditure and profit from the flocks etc. Through this App a farmer can directly communicate with the KVK experts. Sh. Gulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, Minister for Agriculture Development, in his address said that his Department has prepared a policy paper for putting in place a cold chain for vegetables so that the farmers can get remunerative prices for their produce. He said that setting of procurement centres of paddy by the Agriculture Department had curtailed the distress sales and provided a good price of Rs. 1,450 per quintal to the farmers. Sh. Daljit Singh Chib, Vice Chairman J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kisans, spoke about the enhancement of budgetary allocations for Agriculture by the Central and State governments. He said that the decision to provide 50% margin over the cost of production by the Central Government will go a long way in increasing the incomes of farm families.
Dr. Pradeep K. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, presented the welcome address and appreciated the guidance and support of the Governor and State Government in running the university. He said that if the technologies developed by the University are adopted by the farmers, there is no reason to doubt that farm incomes will double in this decade. The Vote of Thanks was given by Dr. K. S. Risam, Director Extension, SKUAST-J.(KNO)