Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today said that government is committed to encourage and promote the local research and provide scientific solutions to challenges ranging from climate change to healthcare.He said that scholars of the state can act as tools to achieve sustained growth and development and for that there is need to promote research and innovation in the state institutions. “Government is working to build an environment for research which will promote innovations and help sustainable growth”, he said. He said that innovation has not only led to more-efficient production methods, but it has also brought dramatic changes in people's way of life. He said it is time to “look for affordable technology.”The Minister was speaking at valedictory function of National Conference on Interdisciplinary Sciences and Humanities at PG College Rajouri. “Skill development is vital for growth at all levels. I believe that Science is universal but technology has to be local. We have to think about how our institutions can set up their own incubation centres,” he said, adding that the research and innovation will help to design a roadmap to solve technological challenges.Hailing the College administration for organising such conferences, the Minister said that such events facilitate exchange of ideas of the researchers and development of technologies. He said that this part of the state is full of intellectuals and literary persons and such kind of conferences will provide a platform for them.Minister also announced Rs 5 crore for the overall development of the PG College, Rajouri.