District Development Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir today said that skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development in contemporary times and need of the hour is to acquaint youth with relevant skill development training.The DDC said this at a meeting he chaired to explore ways to promote skill development in the district. The meeting was attended by Assistant Development Commissioner, CPO, Social Welfare Officer, District Officer KVIB, AD Handloom, Superintendent ITI Kupwara, Manager DIC, officials from Animal and Sheep Husbandry and other concerned.During the meeting, the DDC said that the youth of district can offer a meaningful contribution in handicrafts, wood carving and other traditional art forms and directed the concerned to focus on these sectors so that the raw materials produced in the district can be utilized in more productive ways. He also directed the financial institutions to work in cooperation and coordination with other departments in the district.
He asked the concerned to establish manufacturing units for production of jams, pickles and other commodities of daily use so that horticulture produce including many varieties of fruits with short shelf-life can be put to proper use.He also suggested marketing local products online with the intention to popularize brand Kashmir since the valley enjoys the proud distinction of producing genuine products like saffron, pashmina, apples, dry fruits etc with a ready market available throughout the globe.The DDC also directed the concerned departments to prepare a comprehensive Detailed Project Report in collaboration with Animal Husbandry, EDI, NRLM and banks regarding milk production unit in block Langate, Ramhal and Lolab.The Horticulture department was asked to frame a proposal regarding training programme for the educated unemployed youth of Kupwara for pruning of apple trees and directed the concerned to submit the detailed proposal to the DDC office within next three days.