Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Kashmir Professor Nazir Ahmad today laid foundation stone of Administrative- Cum- Laboratory block for Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) at Balpura here in presence of District Development Commissioner Shopian, Chaudhry Mohammad Yasin and Director Extension SKUAST Kashmir.Vice Chancellor SKUAST Kashmir was the Chief Guest on the occasion while District Development Commissioner was Guest of Honour.Speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chancellor said that SKUAST Kashmir provides best testing and diagnostic services for soil, plant and livestock health besides awareness is also being created from time to time among farmers about improved Agricultural practices and involving scientific methods to achieve better results.He said that Directorate of Extension SKUAST Kashmir has a statutory role to play with regard to research tasks, to develop scientific Agriculture technology, interventions to enhance and benefit farming community in their net Agriculture income in a sustainable manner.The DDC highlighted the role and importance of KVK in the district and said that the need of the hour is to give impetus to Horticulture and Agriculture production especially Apple production so that the farmers can double their income and be able to produce different varieties.Among others, Associate Director SKUAST-K, Associate Director Research (Agri) SKUAST-K, Head KVK, District Officers and farmers in large numbers were present on the occasion.Later VC and the DDC jointly inspected KVK demonstration plots and discussed the significant role KVK can play in the district.