Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 12: Governor, N.N. Vohra, Chancellor of the Sher- i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, appreciated the initiatives taken by the University for encouraging organic farming in Kashmir.
He laid stress on various measures being taken to add value to agricultural products and urged that the University and Agriculture Department should take all required steps to certify organic agricultural products for providing better value to the farmers. He said this while chairing the 26th meeting of SKUAST-K Council meeting at Raj Bhavan today.
Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K made a presentation about the various initiatives being taken by the University for improving and upgrading agricultural processes and products. He highlighted the promising results which have been secured in the production of seed of two prominent indigenous rice varieties, Mushakbhuji and Kamad, where the University is working with the farmers in a participatory mode. These rice varieties are planned to be marketed by a Jammu based company specializing in organic products.
The University has also launched Agro-Chemicals Evaluation Programme-2014 for testing bio efficacy of pesticides for ensuring that quality plant protection chemicals are made available to farmers. The Chancellor observed that laboratories established for this purpose should maintain strict standards in their functioning and come up to the expectations of the farmers.
The University is also working on producing high quality plant materials, particularly focusing on high density orchard systems, in collaboration with GRIBA of Italy. The Chancellor stressed the vital importance of ensuring that high quality seeds and plants are made available to increase horticultural productivity in the State.
The Chancellor urged the Vice Chancellors of both the Farm Universities to encourage innovation in agriculture and its allied sectors and come out with dynamic models in agricultural practices.
On a query by the Chancellor, the VC, apprised the Council that ICAR has agreed in principle to fund the project for breeding Pashmina Goats and the second generation of NOORI clone under the All India Coordinated Programme. The University will get the required financial support from ICAR.
The Chancellor reviewed the functioning of Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Gurez and Nyoma.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Pradeep K. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, Dr. A. R. Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipore, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Principal Secretary, Finance, Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Commissioner/Secretary, Agriculture Production, Prof.T.A.S Ganai, Registrar, SKUAST, Kashmir.
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