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| Boost agriculture by blending science with tradition: | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 22- Blending modern science with traditional approaches is imperative to supplement, enhance and harness the advantages of bio-fortification, value addition and post-harvest management processes, said Governor N N Vohra, while inaugurating the three day 9th Agricultural Science Congress here today.
The Governor laid tress on ensuring availability of research outputs which are relevant to the specific needs of the farmers. He focused on the centrality of agriculture and its contribution to the economic growth in the state and the country. He also referred to the challenges faced by this sector, like stagnating yields, decreasing farm lands, unstable market processes, salinization, nutrient imbalances, emergence of drug resistant strains of pests, and gave a clarion call to the agri-scientists to address these issues and re-energize the agriculture sector.
The Congress has been organized by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, in collaboration with National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi. The theme of the Congress is ‘technological and institutional innovations for enhancing agricultural income’.
Highlighting the tremendous scope of agriculture based sectors in the context of rural economy in J&K the Governor said that the immediate challenge is to work out people’s-based strategies to give boost to agriculture and allied activities. He also observed that pooling of resources and sharing technical know-how is significant to achieve the crucial goal of self-sufficiency in agriculture production. He said that horticulture, aromatic and medicinal plants, cut flowers, dairy, poultry, fishery and animal husbandry have vast scope in the State for diversion of agriculture activities that would fillip to economy and generating employment. He exuded confidence that the agricultural science congress while deliberating on national issues, will also address the challenges and opportunities which are specific to the agriculture sector in J&K.
Wishing fruitful deliberations at the Science Congress, the Governor said that he is looking forward to the recommendations of the Congress, in the form of a vision document, for consideration of the policy planners.
The Governor also presented NAAS awards on the occasion.
The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was also present on the occasion, said that the profitability of agriculture is a must for its growth adding that there is a need to create greater awareness about the knowledge, skills and techniques to enhance productivity and quality of food-grains so that the farmers earn a respectable income. In this context, he said, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Scheme launched by Government of India is a step in the right direction.
The Chief Minister said that ‘majority of the people in Jammu and Kashmir are non-vegetarians. I am told that 75% of the meat consumed is imported from the neighbouring states. There is, therefore, an obvious need to increase our livestock population substantially to meet the growing demand. The agriculture scientists must take measures to rejuvenate the pasture lands and explore the possibility of transforming the available biomass into animal feeds considering the prolonged winter in most parts of our State”, Omar said.
The Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof. Anwar Alam in his welcome address gave a resume of the activities of the University and its future plan of action to make it the centre of excellence. He appealed the scientists of the country to postulate technological and institutional innovations that can lead to additional income and employment to rural masses.
The Secretary of the Congress, Dr. A. K. Srivastava also spoke on the occasion.
A galaxy of agriculture scientists from across country are participating in this mega event.
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