Shobha Karandlaje Union Minister at KVK, Kathua advocates promotion of IFS

Ms. Shobha  Karandlaje Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India today visits Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kathua  under the administrative control of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu. During her visit she advocates promotion of Integrated Farming System for enhancing farmers income. Retreating the emphasis of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Sh. Narendra Modi Ji for doubling the farmers income, she said that farmers need to link with markets for ensuring farm profitability. She further stressed upon greater convergence and linkage of university scientists and department officials for benefits of farmers. While interaction with progressive farmers, she discussed the Central Government efforts to ensure traceability of quality seed for better production and higher returns. She also revealed the efforts of the Govt. to popularize Basmati Rice and walnut at world arena for brining better returns to farmers of Jammu and Kashmir. Raising the concern of disengagement of rural youth in agriculture, she suggested to transform agriculture into entrepreneurship and business enterprise for making it remunerative and attractive for new generation. She further highlighted the scope of establishing food processing units to promote value addition for overall  agricultural growth to achieve Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Prof. J.P. Sharma Hon’ble Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu while presenting the welcome address highlighted the  achievements of Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kathua. He informed about the coverage of farmers by KVK in three agro-climatic zones namely subtropical, intermediate and temperate. He elaborated the success of KVK in entrepreneurship development in the field of  Poultry, Piggery, Mushroom, bee keeping and floriculture.  He  further discussed about the  achievements of farmers linked with KVK and their recognition at national level, namely Rajkarni Devi, Sushant Sharma and Neeraj Nad. Vice Chancellor further requested Hon’ble Minister to consider the request for establishment of 01 more  Krishi Vigyan Kendras for District Kathua, keeping in view the difficult topography and terrain in Bani and Basohli blocks.

Col. Mahan Singh, DDC Chairman acknowledge the view of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor to have a separate KVK s for the hilly Blocks of Kathua District which are almost 250 kms from the existing KVK in Kathua Block.  Raghunandan Singh, Vice Chairman DDC,   Dr. Jag Paul Sharma, Director Research, Dr. S.K. Gupta Director Extension, Rahul Yadav Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Ramesh Chander Kotwal, SSP Kathua, K.K. Sharma Director Agriculture Jammu, Ravinder Sharma, Muncipility Chairman Lakhanpur, A.S. Reen Joint Director Agriculture Jammu, Vijay Upadhaya, Chief Agriculture Officer Kathua were also present during the programme.

Ms. Shobha  Karandlaje Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India also interacted with Scientists of KVK and revealed her views on better research-extension linkage. She also planted a Rudraksh (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) tree in KVK and listened to farmers’ delegations. The programme was organized under the guidance of Dr. S.K. Gupta Director Extension SKUAST Jammu. Dr. Vishal Mahajan Senior Scientist & Head KVK Kathua briefed about the current programs carried out by KVK.

 Others who contributed in organizing the  programme include Dr. Anamika Jamwal, Dr. Berjesh Ajrawat, Dr. Pawan Kumar Sharma, Dr. Vishal Sharma, Dr. Ajay Kumar, Vijay Singh, Bharat Bhushan, Sahil Sharma and Pankaj Mehra.

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