A two days regional conference on “Specialty Agriculture in the context of Farm Economy of Himalayan Region” concluded at SKUAST-Jammu. The conference was organized by the Division of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management SKUAST-Jammu in collaboration with Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, Mumbai. Speaking during the valedictory session of the conference Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of the University informed that Krishi Vigyan Kendra will act as facilitation center for the farming community with single window solution throughout the country. Prof Sharma also stress that focus should be to transform conventional agriculture into agri-business enterprise with emphasis on specialty agriculture to overcome various challenge of Agriculture and allied sectors. Surplus management through post-harvest processing and value addition with proper branding and marketing is the key for development of Agriculture sector. Dr Sharma also stressed upon maintaining and uplifting farmers self pride and dignity. Prof Sharma emphasized that recommendation of the conference shall be beneficial for the policy makers for developing a road map of holistic development in Agriculture and allied sectors.
Sh Chander Mohan Gupta, Mayor, Jammu Municipal Corporation appreciated the achievements made by University in respect of farm sciences. Varieties developed by University have shown promising results in Jammu region. He stressed upon that University should promote agro tourism.
Dr. V.K. Vidharthi G.M APEDA stressed upon the need of generation of entrepreneurship though agri allied activities. He invited the scientists to have collaborative projects with APEDA so that the infrastructure facilities are raised in the University and the farmers are benefitted of the outcomes of these projects
At the outset, Dr. Jyoti Kachroo, organizing secretary of the regional conference presented welcome address and elaborated the detailed programme of two days conference. She informed that during the two days of conference great churning of ideas pertaining to scope, challenges, opportunities, best practices, latest trends and way forward in the field of specialty agriculture particularly with respect to the Himalayan region. A total of 315 delegates including 150 members of scientific community, 160 students along with industry/corporate professionals all-round the country and 50delegates participated through online mode in the conference. Eight technical sessions were held in which eleven lead papers and 80 research papers and fifty posters were presented which were critically evaluated by the chairman and Co-chairman of the respective session for selection of best among each session. Delegates experts from APEDA, PAU, Ludhiana, HAU, Hisar, HPKV Palampur, ICAR ATARI Zone 1, Dr YSPUH&F Solan, IISR, IARI, Central Universities, SKUAST Jammu and SKUAST Kashmir participated in the conference
First lady of the University Dr. Sumati Sharma, former ADG, DRDO, Dr K K Sharma, Director Agriculture Jammu, Dr Pradeep Wali, Director Research, Dr S K Gupta Director Extension, Dr Rakesh Nanda Director Education SKUAST Jammu and other Statutory officers of the University, Head of the various divisions, KVK Heads, Scientist, staff members, students delegates across the country and media personnel were also present during the valedictory session. On the occasion. Awards for best papers, best poster presentations and appreciation awards were also presented on the occasion. Vote of thanks was presented by Dr S P Singh Associate Professor Agricultural Economics SKUAST Jammu.
