Vice chancellor SKUAST-Jammu, Professor J.P. Sharma visited Mushroom Unit, Farming System Research and Fishery unit at Chatha farm of the university and took stock of various on-going development activities of these farm units with the scientists.
He was accompanied by Director Research, Dr. Pardeep Wali, Registrar, Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director Planning & Monitoring Dr. Jyoti Kachroo, Comptroller, Sh. Ramesh Talwar, Estates Officer Er. Iqbal Singh Sudan, Nodal Officer Farming System Research and Nodal Cell, ICAR Dr. Anil Kumar and Nodal Officer Seed and Head, Division of Plant Pathology Dr. Amrish Vaid,
On the onset of the meeting, Dr. Amrish Vaid, Head, Division of Plant Pathology gave detailed overview of various on-going academic and research activities of the Division. He informed that under Experiential Learning Programme, which is a component of Student READY programme of ICAR, agri-graduates are trained in mushroom production. This programme helps in entrepreneurship development among agriculture graduates. He also informed that Mushroom Unit, which is an important part of the Division, is continuously serving the farming community by conducting regular trainings for them. He apprised Prof. Sharma that unit is also organizing training programmes on cultivation of medicinal mushrooms for the extension functionaries of the State Department of Agriculture. Besides, scientists of the Division are actively participating in various campaigns and Village to Re-Visit Programme of the University.
Dr. Anil Kumar, Nodal Officer, Farming System Research and Nodal Cell, ICAR informed that their unit is continuously helping farmers in enhancing their productivity and income. Dr. Sahar Masud, Head Fishery Unit gave detailed overview of various development works including establishment of hatchery unit for fish seed production.
Prof. Sharma appreciated the scientists for their relentless efforts. He advised them to prepare projects on natural farming as the focus of the government is on to motivate the farmers to adopt natural farming practices. He stressed the scientists to follow multidisciplinary approach to reach out to the farmers so that farmers can get the benefits of technical expertise under one umbrella. He also emphasized to promote application of bio-control agents in insect-pest and disease control. ‘Such techniques are eco-friendly, cost effective and safe guard natural enemies of harmful inset-pest and diseases, he reiterated. He also stressed upon the promotion and popularization of vertical farming among farmers.
He advised Dean, Faculty of Agriculture to organize brain storming session for the students of university to explore innovation and potential areas of Start Up in the field of agriculture and veterinary sciences. He further suggested that the innovative ideas generated from brain storming should be compiled and submitted to the government and industry for its feasibility and viability. Dr. Anil Kumar, Nodal Officer, Farming System Research and Nodal Cell, ICAR presented vote of thanks.
