Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 29: N. N. Vohra, Governor, today highlighted the crucial role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the transfer of agricultural technologies to the farmers for the rapid and sustainable advancement of agriculture and its allied sectors, particularly in the remote and difficult areas of the State.
The Governor was speaking at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, at Raj Bhavan here today.
This MoU has been signed for the establishment of two Krishi Vigyan Kendras, one at Budgam and the other at Changthang in Nyoma area of Ladakh. The MoU was signed in the presence of the Governor, who is Chancellor of the University, and Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General, ICAR.
The Governor thanked Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General, ICAR, for establishing KVK Nyoma in a very remote area of Changthang, adding that this would go a long way in advancing the growth of agriculture and livestock and bring about a visible difference in the lives of people. He urged Dr. Ayyappan to also urgently consider establishing KVKs in other remote and far-flung areas of the State, such as Gurez and Zanskar, which have very high potential and required focussed attention for the growth of agriculture sector.
Recalling the loss of Pashmina goats, sheep and cattle in the Changthang area of Ladakh this winter, the Governor stressed the high importance of all required measures being taken, including the procurement of feed and fodder, setting up units for bailing the fodder to enable economical transportation, establishment of feed/fodder storage centres in the remote areas and putting in place animal shelters, wherever required in the Ladakh region.
Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture, said that the KVK being set up at a very high altitude at Changthang should become a role model for other KVKs. “We have to develop agriculture and its allied sectors as these have very high potential for economic development and generating employment avenues”, he added.
Rigzin Spalbar, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, observed that the establishment of a KVK at Changthang would go a long way in boosting Pashmina production in the area and give fillip to agriculture sector.
Nazir Ahmad Khan, Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, urged for setting up more KVKs in the remote areas like Gurez and Zanskar to facilitate speedy growth of agriculture and its allied sectors.
Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General, ICAR, New Delhi, observed that it is a historical occasion as the MoU for the establishment of KVKs has been signed in the presence of the Governor, who has been taking keen interest in the functioning of KVKs and the growth of agriculture and its allied sectors in the State. He said that ICAR is working on a mission mode with the objective of “farmer first”. He said that whatever is required would be done to make Changthang KVK more customized.
Dr. K. D. Kokate, Deputy Director General, ICAR, New Delhi, dwelt on the salient features of the KVK being established at Changthang.
Dr. S. L. Mehta, Chairman, Site Approval Committee of Krishi Vigyan Kendras, spoke about the topography and the area of focus at this KVK.
Earlier, Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir, in his power point presentation, gave details of the MoU and the role that the KVK at Changthang could play in the growth of agriculture and its allied sectors in the Nyoma area.
Among those present on the occasion were Gurmet Dorjay, Executive Councillor, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, LAHDC, Leh; Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Dr. Farooq Ahmad Zaki, Registrar of the University, and other senior officers of the ICAR and the University.
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