National Seminar on Agriculture and more beyond 4.0 was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Sh. Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lt. Governor & Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir. The seminar was organized by MOBILIZATION Society in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir & SKUAST-Jammu, with main focus to discuss the impacts of various agricultural and industrial developments on farming community and industry. Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, Chairperson KVIB and Mr. Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, GoJK attended were guest of Honour(s) during the function. LG in his address lauded the joint efforts of twin Agricultural Universities in bringing Scientists, Researchers, Students, Innovative farmers and other Stakeholders on a single platform to discuss challenges in agricultural sectors and finding sustainable solutions to the existing and emerging problems in coherence with the national goals. He advised scientific community to invoke smart technologies and solutions which can provide more extensive and precise support to farmers through use of Artificial Intelligence, climate smart agriculture, precision farming so that future challenges of agriculture and allied sectors will be meet out. He desired that scientists have to rethink the whole period of the “Green Revolution” – which would impose science on nature to get desired results. Instead we need to use science to understand nature – and work with nature – to get better and more sustainable results.” He also wished that the Conference participants to think critically how agriculture 4.0 technologies are made inclusive (from seed sowing to product processing and marketing) and desired a meaningful discussion on the cost effective and easy to use innovative technologies for a better and prosperous future. LG further said that speed and scaling with low cost technologies is much required to meet future challenges for farming community. He also suggested to think on major points through Agriculture 4.0 viz., supply chain management from seed sowing to distribution, credit facility to marginal and small farmers and focus on food processing sector. LG also mentioned about the growth and achievements gained during the last two years. Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, Chairperson KVIB showed her willingness in working with SKUAST-Kashmir & Jammu in the fields for promoting apiculture in different clusters across Jammu and Kashmir and promoting entrepreneurship.
Prof. J.P Sharma, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu stressed to work for changing agriculture beyond 4.0. He said that agriculture and industry in the country should work hand to hand and laid stress on vertical farming, conservation strategies for water, soil resource management, processing, value addition, branding and marketing.
Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir in his welcome address appreciated the role of mobilization society in bringing technological advancements to forefront. He laid stress on future agriculture being knowledge based and technology driven in order to transform J&K into model bio-economy hub of the country.
Mr. Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary focused on farm mechanization for marginal and small farmers in hilly areas of J&K. He desired that our farmers should take lead in becoming self-sufficient in milk, vegetable, fruit and value added products. He informed that Govt. of J&K will give special focus on entrepreneurship development and promote start-ups in agriculture and allied sectors in coming days.
More than 600 delegates including Dr. M.C. Sharma, Former Vice Chancellor, IVRI, Dr. Sumati Sharma, DRDO; Dr. Rajnesh Tyagi General Secretary of the society, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Director NIT Srinagar, Heads of Development departments, scientists, students innovators, progressive farmers also attended the inaugural function. During the inaugural session Agri-entrepreneurs, start-up and Champion farmers were awarded for their contribution in the field of agriculture and allied. Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir, Dr. Sarfaraz A Wani, presented vote of thanks and hoped that deliberations during the Conference will help in devising policy initiatives for agriculture sectors in the state during the concluding of inaugural ceremony.
