N. N. Vohra, Governor, and Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, have stressed the need for large scale seed replacement to increase agri-productivity and production in the State. They asked the Vice Chancellors of both the Agricultural Universities of the State to formulate a time bound programme for multiplication and distribution of quality seed to the farmers along with the other required inputs for securing enhanced agri-production. The Governor and the Chief Minister were addressing the 25th University Council meeting of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir, at Raj Bhavan here last evening. The Governor, who is the Chancellor of the University, while reviewing the to-date status of organic farming in the State, observed that all the required measures need to be taken for the promotion and marketing of organic produce.
Stressing the need for promoting plantation of quality high density plants, the Governor emphasized for production of quality plant material in adequate quantity and enlarging awareness among the farmers about the latest technical know-how and horticulture practices for maximizing benefits of these improved approaches. He observed that this would need to be done in a mission mode. The Chief Minister, who is the Pro-Chancellor of the University, emphasized upon the State Agricultural Universities the need to lay greater stress on creating centres of excellence by focusing on the sectors with high growth potential on sustained basis for benefiting the State in a big way.Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture, observed that initiatives had already been intensified to secure seed replacement of maize, potato and other crops, adding that the ongoing efforts would need to be enlarged. He added that both the Agricultural Universities and the Agriculture Department have to play a pro-active role in the production of high quality seed, keeping in view the requirements of various areas of the State.
Raman Bhalla, Minister for Horticulture, emphasized the high importance of the growth of agriculture, horticulture and the allied sectors, adding that they have a vast potential in the State. Mr. Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi), Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, put forth several suggestions for growth of agriculture and animal and sheep husbandry sectors in the State.Dr. Tej Partap, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir, made a detailed power point presentation dwelling on the achievements of the University in the varied arenas of teaching, research and extension activities since the last meeting of the University Council. He also gave details of the initiatives taken for promoting production of cold resistant varieties of rice, and, besides seeds of other crops developed by the varsity.The meeting was attended by Dr. A. R. Trag, Vice Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipore; Dr. D. K. Arora, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu; Mr. B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development; Mr. B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Principal Secretary, Finance; Mr. Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Commissioner/Secretary, Agriculture Production; and Dr. Farooq Ahmad Zaki, Registrar, SKUAST, Kashmir.