Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura today called for strengthening extension delivery system in order to reach out to the farming community across the State.Speaking during valedictory function of 3-day National Symposium on Livestock Resource Management under Climate Change Scenario and 24th Annual Convention of Indian Society of Animal Production and Management (ISAPM), the Minister highlighted the acute shortage of feeds and fodder resources that has been hindering livestock production and productivity. The event was held today at Nundreshi Convention Centre in SKUAST-Kashmir.Hanjura asked the scientists to document and conserve of valuable local animal genetic pool. He complimented the University for organizing the symposium and exhorted the delegates hailing from different states of the country to be the ambassadors for carrying the message about peace loving nature and hospitality of people of the state.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof Nazeer Ahmed asked the entire scientific community to address the different challenges facing livestock sector collectively and advised scientists to go for horti-pastoral system to augment the fodder requirements of the State. He further advised for exploitation of local animal wealth and need for introduction of new breeds developed by other states and institutions besides utilization of other fodder resources and aquatic weeds for meeting fodder requirement.President of ISAPM, Prof S. Pan while speaking on the occasion expressed his satisfaction over the manner in which the symposium was conducted at SKUAST-Kashmir.Later certificate distribution ceremony was held in which certificates of Merit were distributed among the scientists for the best scientific presentations. The delegates and participating scientists from outside the state hailed the hospitality of the Kashmiris.