Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Ghani Kohli has emphasized upon the scientists and technocrats for developing remunerative technologies for the high and dry areas of the state.The Minister was speaking at the valedictory function of the two days’ Kissan Mela organized by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu (SKUAST) Jammu.This year’s Kissan Mela was organized on the theme “Integrated Farming: Profitable and Sustainable Farming”. The highlights of the Kissan Mela were: field visits, Kissan Goshtis, rural sports, video films on advance technologies, cultural programmes in addition to mega exhibition.The Minister in his address to the farmers laid emphasis on increasing the production of poultry, meat, eggs and fish in the state for making state self sufficient in such products.He said the government was considering formulating a policy on poultry farming so as to bring it into the ambit of small scale industries for giving a boost to poultry farming in the state.
He appreciated the role of SKUAST in organizing Kissan Mela for educating farmers and developing integrated farming system model to increase profitability of farmers.Later, the Minister distributed awards to the progressive cattle/ buffalo/sheep & goat/ poultry farmers whose animals were adjudged best in respective categories.Dr Pradeep K Sharma, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST Jammu called upon the farmers to adopt integrated farming system to increase per hectare net income to rupees three lakhs compared to rice wheat cultivation that fetches a maximum of net profit of Rs 70000 per hectare under irrigated conditions.The Kissan Mela was attended by more than 5000 farmers, various universities including Punjab Agricultural University, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Science University Punjab; private industries, NGOs and farmer entrepreneurs. Agriculture and allied departments and research institutes of Jammu region also participated in the exhibition.