Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 28 : N N Vohra, Governor, and Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, have stressed the implementation of a time bound programme for production and multiplication of quality seeds of different crops, in adequate quantities, and their timely distribution for meeting the requirements of the farmers and enhancing the agri-productivity in the State.
The Governor and the Chief Minister were addressing the 23rd University Council meeting of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir, at Raj Bhavan, here today.
The Governor and the Chief Minister observed that while doing so a strict monitoring mechanism must be put in place so that the quality of the seed is of certified standard. They said that an extensive campaign needs to be launched to enlarge awareness among the farmers about the usefulness of seed replacement and adoption of the best farming practices.
Chairing the meeting, the Governor, who is Chancellor of the University, called for involving Panchayati Raj Institutions in the planning and implementation of the various programmes for promoting production, particularly in the remote areas and also in enlarging awareness among the farmers about adoption of new farm technologies and switching over to more remunerative cultivation of hybrid seeds of maize and other crops.
Reviewing the status of setting up of various Krishi Vigyan Kendras, the Governor stressed for resolving all procedural and other delays in the establishment of these Kendras to expeditiously benefit the growers.
The Governor emphasized for drawing up sector and activity specific short and long-term Action Plans and ensuring regular review of implementation thereof for securing time-bound results.
He impressed for maintaining a comprehensive data about the success of various initiatives taken for the growth of agriculture and its allied sectors and ensuring further improvements there upon to benefit the growers. He also reviewed the status of rotational farming.
The Chief Minister, who is the Pro-Chancellor of the University, said that the KVKs need to function as nerve centres of all envisaged activities for the growth of agriculture sector.
Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for Forests, stressed the need for making aware the farmers about the benefit of hybrid seeds of maize and other crops so that they extensively cultivate these seed varieties.
Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Horticulture and Floriculture, spoke about the new initiatives being taken for making available best planting material of various fruit trees to the farmers.
Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture, emphasized the need for devising a mechanism so that all the available seats in various disciplines in the University are filled up to adequately utilize the infrastructure and facilities as well as benefit the students.
Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi, Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, put forth several suggestions for the rapid growth of these sectors, having vast potential for generation of wealth and employment avenues.
Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir, made a comprehensive power point presentation, dwelling on the achievements of the University and the major initiatives under consideration.
The meeting was attended by Dr. A. R. Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipore; Prof. D K Arora, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu; Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Shaleen Kabra, Commissioner/Secretary, Agriculture Production, and Dr. Farooq A Zaki, Registrar, SKUAST, Kashmir.
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