Governor N.N. Vohra inaugurated the one year Diploma Course in Basic Horticulture Training Programme which has been established by the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology- Kashmir (SKUAST-K) at Stakna, Leh district. He also inaugurated the new complex of the High Mountain Arid Agricultural Research Institute (HMAARI) where the Horticulture Training Programme will be conducted.Greeting the boys and girls who are joining the first batch of this programme, the Governor observed that their training in the latest horticultural practices is the first major step towards the large scale development of horticulture in the entire Ladakh region. He exhorted the young boys and girls to take serious interest in their training which marks the beginning of the SKUAST initiative to raise a pool of local scientists who would contribute towards the arid landscape of Ladakh being rapidly changed to prosperous farms, orchards and vegetable gardens.
The Governor congratulated Prof. Nazeer Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, and his concerned colleagues, in establishing the High Mountain Arid Agricultural Research Institute at Stakna, and for the excellent work which had already been done to enable the local farmers to grow a variety of high yielding vegetables and fruits throughout the year in poly houses and covered trenches. After going round the vegetable and fruit growing areas at the Research Station the Governor congratulated all the scientists and field staff for the very impressive results achieved by them.The Governor appreciated the ongoing agriculture, horticulture and vegetable farming research projects, particularly the production of green vegetables and fruits in poly and green houses during winter season, and hoped that the outcome of these successful pilot projects shall be very soon replicated by individual farmers in the entire district.Describing Ladakh as one of the rapidly developing regions, the, Governor observed that this was due to the initiatives taken by SKUAST-K, the hardwork put in by the local people and LAHDC’s efforts to provide impetus to the development programmes. He said that Ladakh, which has already marked its presence on the international tourism map, can achieve very significant results by developing horticulture and sheep and goat farming in a scientific manner.
Governor complimented the Faculty and staff of SKUAST-K and KVK Leh for their impressive farm work and particularly noted the good work being done for sheep and pashmina goat rearing. He complimented the Vice Chancellor for introducing High Density Apple varieties and its rootstock rearing at this Research Station and was confident that this initiative would soon yield profitable results.The Governor congratulated Mr. Sonam Stanzing and Mr. Tsering Angchuk , two progressive farmers, for managing agriculture and pashmina goat rearing on scientific lines and achieving excellent results.The Governor released various publications of the KVK, Leh; distributed Soil Health Cards, knitting machines and cheques to participants of different training programmes here.Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo, Chief Executive Councilor/ Chairman, LAHDC, Leh, thanked the Governor, who is also Chancellor of the University, for starting the Horticulture Training Programme and appreciated the University’s sustained efforts to develop the agriculture and its allied sector in this difficult region. Dr. Nazeer Ahmed, Vice–Chancellor, SKUAST-K, highlighted the activities being carried out by the KVKs at Leh, Nyoma and Kargil and also spoke about the University’s future plans for development of agriculture and allied activities here.Earlier, the Governor inaugurated the Administration-cum-Laboratory Complex of KVK Leh, went around the various stalls put by the farmers and interacted with them. He also inspected the various facilities which have been established at the Precision Farming Development Centre and compliment the staff for their hard work.Prof. M.Y. Zargar, Director Research, SKUAST-K and Dr. T.H. Masoodi, Associate Director Research, SKUAST-Leh, presented the Welcome address and Vote of Thanks, respectively.