Union Minister Urged for Integrated Approach in Agriculture

Jammu Birth Place of Purple Revolution: Jitendra Singh  

       Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Ind. Charge) Science & Tech; (Ind. Charge) Earth Sciences; PMO, PP/DoPT, Atomic Energy, Space congratulated Prof. J. P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, -Jammu for organizing North India Regional Agriculture Fair 2021 and making the University visible at National level. The Union Minister was speaking as a Chief Guest in 5-days’ long Northern India Regional Agriculture Fair 2021 here at SKUAST Jammu. During his address, he informed about various Centrally Sponsored Schemes and programmes such as Soil Health Card, Neem Coated Urea fertilizer, Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana and e-NAM etc for upliftment of farmers and agriculture.

He said that agriculture is integrated approach where different enterprises supplement and add value to each other. Union Minister also informed that Central Government has launched a heli-borne survey for water management in arid areas of north western Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab. With this heli-borne survey, we would be able to cover larger areas to derive more accurate data. In some areas, this survey will also provide information about level, quantity, quality and information of ground water present as deep as 500 metres, said the Union Minister. He said that Biotechnology Park and National Institute of High Altitude is coming up in J&K UT which will open doors for research and development besides employment generation for educated youth. He suggested SKUAST-Jammu and IIIM, Jammu to collaborate with above mentioned new institutes in near future. Union Minister in his address said Jammu is birth place of Purple Revolution in India and it should be promoted on large scale for employment generation and entrepreneurial avenues. Union Minister suggested SKUAST-Jammu and IIIM, Jammu should have MoU for Aroma Mission. Union Minister stress to promote agri-startups for entrepreneurship development by following the process of searching, grooming and promotion.

Union Minster urged for theme based multi institutional collaborative projects and regular exchange programmes for students and faculty members. Earlier Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu welcomed Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh  and highlighted various achievements of the University. Prof. Sharma enumerated the scope and potential of various commodities such as kala zeera, Rajmash, saffron, lemon grass, olive etc. and sectors like apiculture and fisheries in Jammu region. Prof. Sharma focused for increasing share of export in agriculture. He said that the university is in the process of MoU with Indian Institute of Packaging, APEDA and other institutes for holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. He also informed that SKUAST-Jammu is identifying different products of various districts of Jammu division for proper utilization, processing, packaging and branding.

Dr. R. C. Agarwal, DDG Education ICAR congratulated SKUAST-Jammu for becoming 62nd institution for getting World Bank Funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project from ICAR, New Delhi which was also launched today.

Dr. S. K. Malhotra, Agriculture/ Horticulture Commisioner, GoI and Sh. Dinesh Kulkarni,  also spoke on the occasion.  Meanwhile, the Union Minister also inaugurated Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory at School of Biotechnology, Herbal Garden (Sanjeevani Tapovan), Dog Show and Laid foundation stone of Faculty Club at Main Campus Chatha. He also visited livestock show and inspected exhibitions and stalls demonstrated by the university, line departments, farmers, start-ups etc. During the programme publication was released and farmers were also felicitated for their contribution in agriculture.      

During agriculture fair, impressive dog and livestock show was also organized where 89 dogs dogs of 27 breeds participated and shown their skills and temperament. Overall championship went to the breed Siberian Husky and Golden Retriver. 74 farmers registered their animals for livestock show and almost all the breeds of domestic animals and birds were showcased in the show. Basmati Growers workshop, field visits, Kisan goshties, rural sports and cultural programme were the other main attraction of the day.

Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Dr. Manoj Dhar; Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director IIIM, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Raghav Langer; Director Agriculture, K. K. Sharma; Director Horticulture, Ram Sewak; Statutory officers of the university, HoDs of various departments; faculty members, students of SKUAST-J, besides scores of farmers were present on the occasion. Vote of thanks was extended by Dr. S. K. Gupta, Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu. Proceedings of the program were conducted by Dr. Vinod Gupta and Dr. Pawan Sharma.

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