Governor N.N. Vohra inaugurated a one day Conference on “Food Processing and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Smpada Yojana” at the Shalimar Campus of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Kashmir, today. This Conference has been organized by the Directorate of Extension SKUAST-K, Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Government of India and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), New Delhi.Appreciating the organisation of this important Conference, Governor observed that there is inadequate awareness about this pan India Programme which is a flagship scheme launched by the Govt. of India with the objective of supplementing agriculture, modernizing food processing and decreasing Agri-Waste.Governor observed that currently a very high percentage of agricultural produce of the country goes waste because of lack of processing facilities and modern preservation techniques. He noted that if we endeavor to minimise this waste, the producers’ surplus would increase very substantially.
Governor urged Vice- Chancellors of the Farm Universities and other entities involved in the implementation of this Yojna to formulate sound sector wise schemes under the ambit of this flagship progamme so as to double the farmer’s income by 2022-23, promote farmers' welfare and reduce agrarian distress.Prof. Nazeer Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Sh. Parvez Ahmed, Chairman and CEO J&K Bank Ltd.; Sh. K.B. Subramanian, Director Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GoI; Sh. D.S. Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM; Sh. Javid Ahmad Tenga, President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) presented their views on the opportunities available to farmers to become entrepreneurs by taking full advantage of benefits available under Pradhan MantriKisan Sampada Yojana.Governor presented certificates of Skill Development Programmes to the Course Directors and ICAR’s Best Teachers Awards to the teachers of the University. Later Governor visited the High-Density Apple Orchard & Rootstock Block of the University and enquired about the health of high-density apple crop.