Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu hosted the XXVIII Biennial Workshop of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) and 11th Annual Review Meeting of AICRPDA-NICRA. Dr. S. K. Chaudhuri, DDG (NRM), ICAR was the Chief Guest on the occasion and Dr. B. N. Tripathi, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu presided over the function. Addressing the audience, Dr. S.K. Chaudhuri highlighted the pivotal role of irrigation and cultivation in shaping the ecosystem and emphasized the need for diversifying agriculture income through non-farm sources. He also advocated for increased use of renewable energy sources and water harvesting to mitigate the impact of deficit rainfall.
During his presidential address, Dr. B. N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu drew attention to the pressing issues of population growth, limited resources, climate change, and deforestation. He stressed the importance of sustainable measures and discussed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on crop diversity and conservation. Dr. Tripathi underscored the need to educate farmers on sustainable agricultural practices and soils and water conservation modules for Natural resource management. Dr. Tripathi highlighted importance of 29 projects functional under HADP and said it will transform the agriculture and allied sector in coming years in J&K UT. He encouraged collaboration between the government, ICAR, and the scientific community to overcome challenges and promote sustainable agriculture. Dr. V. K. Singh, Director, CRIDA-ICAR put forth his remarks on the natural resource management and climate resilient agriculture. Dr. Singh elaborated the extensive work done by CRIDA in the country. He advocated the use of proven technologies in rainfed conditions. Earlier, Dr. JVNS Prasad, Project Coordinator, AICRPDA welcome all the guests and also read out the project coordinator’s report. During the workshop annual report of AICRPDA, NICRA and success stories of Rakh Dhinsar and CRIDA-Hyderabad were released. A farmer namely Mr. Gurdip Ram R/o Hoshiarpur, Punjab was also awarded for adoption and popularization of rain water harvesting and INM modules. All the statutory officers of the university, Head of divisions and faculty was also present during the inaugural function. Dr. A.P. Singh, Chief Scientist, and Organizing Secretary presented the formal vote of thanks and Dr. Vivak Manohar Arya, Associate Professor, Soil Science conducted the proceedings of the programme.
