Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Degrees, Gold Medals and Certificates of Merit were awarded to 727 students in Agriculture, Veterinary and allied sciences as fourth Convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu was held here today.
Governor N N Vohra, who is also Chancellor of the university, awarded Ph D Degrees and Gold Medals in the presence of chief guest Dr S Ayyappan, Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi and Dr Pradeep K Sharma, SKUAST-J Vice-Chancellor.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was also present on the occasion while the incumbent Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed, who is also Pro-Chancellor of the University, and the Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura were conspicuously absent during the convocation.
Ph D degrees were conferred to 52 candidates, M Sc degrees in Agriculture and Biotechnology to 136 candidates, M Sc Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry to 181 candidates, B Sc Agriculture and B Sc Biotechnology to 145 candidates, Bachelor degrees in Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry to 213 candidates.
Nine candidates were presented gold medals and 173 were given Certificates of Merit in recognition of their extraordinary academic achievements.
Those who were awarded Gold Medals included Kanchan Bala, Umbreena Mushtaq, Vikrant Dubey and Karan Deep Singh Sasan in B Sc (Hons) Agriculture; Chainika Gupta in B Sc (Hons.) Biotechnology; Murtaza Rashid, Kritima Kapoor, Mohsin Firdous and Ajaz Qadir in B V Sc and A H.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Vohra highlighted the vital importance of Agriculture and its allied sectors in the economy of the State. He said that any stagnation or adverse effects in this sector would have serious consequences for achieving targets of food security and the economic well being of farmers.
Quoting statistics from the State Government Economic Survey Report (2014-15), the Governor showed his concern about the net fall in the annual food grain production in the State. Exhorting the agriculture scientists to identify the factors leading to slow growth and fall in production, he stressed the need of new initiatives being taken for significantly improving the production and productivity, particularly of the small and marginal land holdings.
“To make Jammu and Kashmir self-reliant and a net exporter in this sector in the coming years, there is need for efficient utilization of limited land resources, modernizing agricultural practices, large scale and sustained seed replacement programme, introduction of high yielding varieties, ensuring adequate irrigation facilities, adoption of multi-cropping patterns and other interventions for increasing agriculture productivity,” he said.
The Governor also suggested promotion of niche products like the traditional rice and Basmati varieties, Rajmash, saffron, Anardana etc. “Promotion of organic farming, livestock rearing and dairy farming, proliferation of poultry and fish farming, establishment of marketing and post harvest facilities etc on an extensive scale, and continuing research and extension interventions are need of the hour,” he added.
Dr Ayyappan, in his address, emphasized undertaking need based research by addressing region and area specific problems of farmers and by effectively transferring relevant technologies to enhance income and livelihood status of the farming community. He described climate change as a real challenge in the agriculture sector and noted that its adverse effect is already being felt in J&K.
He suggested introduction of crops with low water requirements, soil and water management; conservation agriculture and energy use efficiency to reduce the impact of climate change on productivity.
Earlier, Dr P K Sharma presented the Vice Chancellor’s Report. He highlighted the achievements of the University and its future plan of action. He thanked the Governor for taking keen interest in the growth and development of the University.
The proceedings of the Convocation commenced with Prof B B Gupta, Registrar, of the University, seeking permission of the Chancellor and declaring the Convocation Open.
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