Excelsior Correspondent
DOORU-SHAHBAD, July 12: Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir along with Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir laid foundation of Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Kreeri Nowpora in Dooru tehsil of Anantnag district today.
The Ministers also inaugurated farmers’ awareness camp organized by Directorate of Agriculture, Kashmir.
The KVK spread over 192 kanals of land being developed under the aegis of Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology Kashmir (SKUAST-K) was sanctioned by Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) for Anantnag district in 2012 and was functioning in a rented building so far. The land identified for KVK has been fenced and landscaping has also been completed.
The KVK, popularly known as Sub-Office SKUAST (K) will be fully functional within next five years. The Kendra will have all modern facilities which will facilitate the farmers, horticulturalists and fruit growers of the area in a large number to get any information, guidance and expertise 24×7.
Speaking on the occasion, the Agriculture Minister said that the main objective of establishment of KVKs at the district level is to strengthen the research programme on agriculture and its allied sectors to familiarize the latest agriculture sciences which are suitable for local conditions. He stressed upon the scientists to work with dedication and ensure that it is benefited shall reach to the farmers.
Mr. Mir said that KVKs serve as fountain heads of new techniques and technologies as well as instruments for increasing agriculture production and transforming rural economy.
The Minister said the setting up of KVK is a noble concept developed by ICAR to transfer technology from laboratory to fields in respect of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, floriculture, beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, poultry farming and especially the activities of Command Area Development.
He said through the opening of KVKs at district level, farmers have been benefitted so far, adding that a lot of technologies were generated through constant effort of the scientists to boost up agri-production.
Terming the agriculture and horticulture as backbone of rural economy, the Minister for Tourism, G. A. Mir said that the Government is making all out efforts to boost the agriculture production for which each and every faculty has been set up in KVKs to facilitate the farmers and fruit growers at their doorstep.
He said that KVKs play an innovative role in boosting the agricultural activity in the state. He stressed for mass awareness among the farmers about various available farming techniques to achieve maximum quality production out of minimum agriculture land.
The Tourism Minister asked for involving local public representatives in awareness campaign which, he said, will yield positive results on the ground.
Responding the demands of fruit growers for controlling the breakout of scab in orchards, the Agriculture Minister directed the Vice Chancellor SKUAST (K) to depute a team of experts to the South Kashmir who will look into the reasons for spreading the disease. He directed the VC to submit the report within one month positively.
Later, the Ministers inspected the various stalls erected by Agriculture Department and its allied sectors for the farmers.
Among others Vice Chancellor SKUAST (K) Dr. Tej Pratap, Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Peerzada Mushtaq Ahmed, Director Extension SKUAST, Prof. Afifa S Kamli, Director Horticulture, Kashmir, Director Sericulture, Kashmir, Additional DC Ananatnag, senior officers of allied departments, senior officers of district administration, a large number of farmers, Panchs and Sarpanchs and media persons were also present on the occasion.
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