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| Shrink distance between lab and land: Azad | | |
SRINAGAR, NOV 29
Stressing for launching a sustained campaign to achieve self-sufficiency in food-grain and vegetable production in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad asked the scientists today to shrink distance between lab and land to realize the goal. He urged the scientists to ensure that their research does not remain confined to laboratories but reaches farmers so that they are benefited exclusively.
Addressing annual day function of the Faculty of Agriculture and Regional Research Centre of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir at Wadoora, Sopore, Chief Minister said that self- sufficiency in production of food grains, vegetables, mutton, poultry and other commodities was necessary to help economic development and prosperity of state.
He said majority of population of the state was dependent on agriculture and allied sectors and development of these disciplines was essential to improve the lot of people.
Mr. Azad said the changes in climatic conditions was a major challenge before the scientists as they had to identify feasibility of locality and that of the crop to be cultivated in view of these changes.
He suggested the scientists to work on improving double cropping pattern in the state so that production is increased and farmers also get benefited. “When we succeed in fully implementing double cropping only then self-sufficiency could be achieved”. He said most of the food grains come from outside the state and the scientists and others associated with research and development should focus their attention on boosting production of essentials in the state.
Mr. Azad said development of infrastructure like laboratories, libraries, classrooms and hostels are essential to provide proper working atmosphere for researchers and students and efforts should be made to develop such infrastructure in every institution. He said about 2500 agriculture students are being engaged as Rehbar-e-Ziraat and suggested for conducting of short duration courses for these to acquaint them with the latest techniques and know-how in agriculture. He said Rehbar-e-Ziraat could then be deputed to villages to make the farmers aware about latest advancements and farming techniques.
Chief Minister said that Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and certain areas in Udhampur and Kathua districts have climatic conditions similar to that of Kashmir and the scientists at the university should focus their attention on introduction of new varieties of crops with high yielding and early maturing capacity. “Emphasis should be on research and development and to make it available to the farmers in the shortest possible time”. He said setting up of a separate horticulture faculty in the campus would also be considered.
Chief Minister also released magazines of the university on the occasion and students presented a colorful programme.
Minister for Horticulture, Tourism, PHE and Irrigation Mr. Mohammad Dilawar Mir also spoke on the occasion and said that 80% of the population in the state are related to agriculture and allied sectors and benefits of research should percolate to them. He suggested undertaking of soil testing in all the areas to know their compatibility for growing of different crops.
Chairman Handicrafts Development Corporation and local MLA Haji Abdul Rashid speaking on the occasion spell out the significant achievements registered by the government during last one year under stewardship of Mr. Azad. He lauded Chief Minister for his innovative approach towards development needs of the people.
Earlier, Chief Minister laid foundation of a Girls Hostel and Seed Processing Unit in the campus.
The three-storey hostel building will come up at a cost of Rs. 70 lakh and with intake capacity for 50 students. Apart from rooms, kitchen, dining hall etc the hostel will have tennis, volley-ball and basket-ball courts and is expected to be completed by May next. The Seed Processing Unit will involve expenditure of Rs. 22 lakh and be completed by next February. |
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