Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmed Khan today inaugurated Rs 176 lakh administrative cum laboratory block of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kargil.Executive Councillor (EC) for Works and Information Nassir Hussain Munshi, Executive Councillor (EC) for Horticulture Aga Syed Mujtaba, Executive Councillor (EC) for Zanskar Affairs ErPunchoqTashi, Vice Chancellor (VC) SKUAST Kashmir Prof Nazeer Ahmad, Director Extension SKUAST Kashmir Dr Mushtaq Ahmad and Councillors from different constituencies were present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, the CEC appreciated the efforts made by the VC SKUAST (K) and his team in establishing the administrative cum laboratory block in the district.Highlighting the role of KVK for propagating the new technologies of agriculture and allied sectors in the district for the better rural livelihood of the farming community, the CEC urged upon the VC SKUAST (K) to undertake further research work, human resource development besides taking necessary steps for exposure and training to farmers. He also underlined the need to give thrust on such crops that need relatively less water for irrigational purposes.He emphasized upon adoption of new technologies being provided by the ICAR and KVK and urged to work upon the crop planning as per soil suitability of the district.
Reiterating the commitment of the Hill Council in giving a fillip to Horticulture as one of the priority sectors, Feroz Khan said that all out support will be given to KVK Kargil in carrying out farmer welfare programmes in the district.The CEC also urged the VC SKUAST (K) to frame a research-based paper to clear the suspicions on the ban on the export of apricot outside Kargil district.Meanwhile, Executive Councillor for Works, Executive Councillor for Horticulture and the Executive Councillor for Tourism in their address appreciated the establishment of the KVK Building at Kargil and expressed optimism that it will go a long way in enhancing the production of quality planting materials of fruits and vegetables in the district.EC Works Nassir Hussain Munshi urged the VC SKUAST (K) to include all blocks of the district under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), training and capacity building programmes, in-depth research on reconsidering the ban on the export of apricot outside Kargil due to codling moth while as the EC Horticulture Aga Syed Mujtaba underlined the need for close coordination between KVK, farmers and line departments. EC Zanskar Affairs Er Punchoq Tashi in his speech highlighted the need to give priority to technologies which are based on giving impetus to cash crops.Vice-Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir Prof Nazeer Ahmad while highlighting different farmer friendly activities for nutrition, health and livelihood security of the farming community apprised the farmers and public representatives about the transfer of technology to the farmers’ field through Tribal Sub Plan and other similar projects. He said that the purpose of establishing the laboratory was to provide technical inputs and awareness to farmers so that their agriculture yield sees an increase.The VC said that SKUAST (K) is presently working on a project with the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) which is based on the elimination of diseases in plants through radiations, he said adding that positive headway is in this regard is expected in near future.