Seminar on RWBCIS under SANDEE-ICIMOD project organised – MoUs signed between SKUAST-Jammu & IHBT Palampur

One day inception seminar was organised on “Crop Insurance Scheme” by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J) at CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) Palampur H.P. The programme was organised under the chairmanship of Dr. P. L. Gautam, Pro-Chancellor Career Point University and Former Vice Chancellor GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, in the presence of Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Director CSIR-IHBT, Dr. Jag Paul Sharma, Director Research SKUAST-Jammu. The seminar was conceptualized on the theme of crop insurance under international project of SKUAST-Jammu funded by South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE)-ICIMOD.

On this occasion, two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were also signed. First one was between MoU between SKUAST-Jammu and IHBT, Palampur that will help in exchanging technologies related to processing, value addition, floriculture and production of medicinal and aromatic plants. Besides, microbiology, biotechnology and nano-technology provides other attractive areas of research interests. Second one was between SKUAST-Jammu and Career Point University, Hamirpur that will strengthen ties related to academic and research for the benefit of students and faculty.

 Speaking on the occasion, Dr. P. L. Gautam appreciated the collaborative efforts of both the premium institutions from J&K and Himachal Pradesh for bringing larger benefits to the farmers of  the region. Emphasizing upon the prevailing common agro-ecological situations in both J&K and Himachal Pradesh, he urged to converge standardized technologies across institutions for their horizontal expansion. He further expressed his concerns regarding low coverage of farmers under the prevailing insurance scheme and suggested that awareness of farmers is the most essential part for providing risk coverage to farmers through insurance.

Prof. J.P. Sharma Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu discussed the administrative arrangements of Weather based insurance scheme and suggested for recording farmers’ views and interests to float farmers oriented crop insurance scheme in J&K. He suggested to highlight the differences in farming practices and farmers’ perspective on crop insurance to compare the scope of implementation of scheme in both the regions. Regarding signing of MoU, Prof. Sharma expressed that the collaboration between two institutions will bring benefits to both institutions. Quoting the speech of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister S&T, PMO, Govt. of India during his recent visit to SKUAST-Jammu, Prof. Sharma discussed the plan of collaboration between two institutions. 

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Director CSIR-IHBT highlighted the technologies of his institution related to processing, value addition, floriculture and generation of planting material for medicinal and aromatic plants. He further expressed his satisfaction on signing of MoU with SKUAST-Jammu and believed that collaboration will bring mutual benefits for scientists, stufdents and farmers of both J&K and Himachal Pradesh.

On the occasion, Dr Jag Paul Sharma, Director Research, SKUAST Jammu discussed the need for signing of MOU’s between the two organizations for undertaking joint research programs essential for conservation and sustainable utilization of bioresourses of North Western Himalayas.

Dr Pawan Sharma PI (SANDEE)-ICIMOD made a detailed presentation regarding weather insurance scheme for horticulture crops. Dr Shilpa, Assistant Professor Agricultural Economics Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Solan formally welcomed the delegates, farmers and other officials in the seminar. The programme was conducted by Dr Punit Choudhary, Sr Scientist and Head of KVK Jammu. Dr Amit Kumar Head Division of Environment Technology IHBT, Dr Sanatsujat Singh, Head Division of Agro technology, Dr Sukhjinder Singh, Sr Scientist Buisness Development Unit IHBT, Sh Sanjeev Kumar Registrar Carrer Point University Hamirpur, Dr Lalit Mohan Gupta Professor and Head Division of Agroforestry , Dr Julie Dogra, Associate Professor Division of Food Science, were also present on the occasion.

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