Advisor to Governor, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai today asked the Farming community to adopt the latest innovations in the agriculture sector in order to increase their yield.The Advisor was speaking at the valedictory function of 2-day Kissan Mela at Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST).Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Mr. P. K. Sharma, Director, Horticulture, Director, Floriculture, deans of various faculties of the University, farmers, horticulturalists from different parts of the state and country were present on the occasion.The Advisor while urging the farming community to introduce the new techniques in the field to increase the crop yield said that by doing so the produce per hectare per kanal would increase which would in turn result in higher overall productivity and better economic returns. Mr. Ganai also asked the youth to come forward and adopt agriculture and related activities on a full time basis, maintaining that
by doing so they would be creating employment opportunities and contribute in the economy growth of the state . He said that we should take a cue from the western nations where agriculture is being adopted as a full time activity by the people especially the youth and educated one.The Advisor said that the new agricultural policy would be framed soon in which the necessary provision would be made to ensure that the new innovations being done in the sector are effectively used and implemented on the ground in order to give the agricultural sector and its allied activities the requisite boost. He said that the agriculture is one of the most important sectors and the requisite steps would be taken to ensure that the technology and research is taken from lab to the field to achieve the desirable goals .The Advisor also distributed awards among the farmers who have excelled in their respective field and also to the stalls which were installed in the Mela by different departments.
The Advisor also inspected the stalls of the Kissan Mela and interacted with the participants who had come from different parts of the state and the country.Earlier, the Mr Ganai inaugurated the Prayavaran Mela organised by the department of Forest at Ecology Park here today. Principal Secretary, Forest, Mr. R. K. Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Mr. A. K. Singh, Director, Ecology and Environment and other senior officers of the department were present on the occasion .The Advisor while speaking on the occasion said that the department should take the necessary measures to educate the people about the importance of environment and ecology in our day to day life and also stressed on creating mass awareness about various Forest and Ecological Laws. He said that the same would go a long way in ensuring the proper preservation of our environment.The Advisor also asked for formation of group of volunteers who would be known as Prayavaran Veers and would generate awareness about the environment and its preservation among the people.Mr. Ganai said that the forest products and produce can also be a source of viable employment for the people in the present context as there is a huge scope of having naturally grown products in the market in various sectors like food, cosmetics and medicines.The Advisor earlier inspected the stalls of different department like tourism, floriculture, ecology and environment, wild life department and fisheries.