Five day long Northern India Regional Agriculture Fair which was organized physically as well as virtually concluded today here at SKUAST-Jammu, Chatha. Prof. J.P. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu and Chief patron of Northern India Regional Agriculture Fair 2021 was chief guest on the valedictory function.Speaking on the occasion, Prof. J. P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu while expressing his satisfaction and happiness on the successful completion of Northern India Regional Agriculture Fair – 2021 congratulated all the farmers, agri-preneurs, NGO’s, government departments, KVK’s, research stations, different Divisions of the University, private companies etc. for their active participation in Agriculture Fair. He said that with the exposure of such types of Agriculture Fairs, farmers have been immensely benefitted directly and hopefully in future will become successful entrepreneurs who will play a key role in the national economy. Prof. Sharma in his address extended warm thanks to Sh. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoS (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Science, PMO, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space for visiting Northern India Regional Agriculture Fair 2021 and giving valuable suggestions for the development of the farm university. Prof. Sharma said that we will be establishing SKUAST-Jammu as Nodal Agency for Implementation of different schemes under Atma Nirbhar Bharat as per the directions of Sh. Parshottam Rupala.
Prof. Sharma said that now the focus is on agribusiness and entrepreneurship development for empowering budding entrepreneurs and for that matter 75 start-ups will be established by SKUAST-Jammu very soon. Prof. Sharma informed that around ten thousand farmers attended the fair physically whereas around fifty thousand viewers watched live streaming. Prof. Sharma said that stalls exhibited in the Fair were of national standard and at par with reputed national institutes and further informed that farmers from almost all the neighbouring states and Union Territories participated in the fair. He congratulated organizers and committee members of different events for successfully arranging and conducting the mega event.Earlier, progressive farmers such as Kulbhushan Khajuria, Tilak Raj, Sham Gorkha, Swaran Lal and Bharat Bhushan gave feedback of Agriculture Fair and congratulated the Vice Chancellor and team of SKUAST-Jammu for their continuous help and support to the farming community. Publication on Bee Keeping was also released on the occasion. Workshop on Bee Keeping and a session on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants was also organized on the last day of the Agriculture Fair.
More than two hundred stalls were exhibited by Progressive farmers, NGOs, FPOs, Private Sectors, Govt. Departments, KVKs from SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir, Punjab Agricultural University, Divisions of SKUAST-Jammu etc and they were felicitated with cash awards and certificates for their contribution in agriculture and allied sectors. Certificates were also given to students for their whole hearted support during five days Agriculture Fair. A competition for giving name to Herbal Garden at SKUAST-Jammu was also organized wherein the winners were felicitated with cash prize for naming it as Sanjeevani Tapowan. Earlier, Dr. Jag Paul Sharma, Director Research and Registrar, SKUAST-Jammu welcomed all the dignitaries and participants. He said SKUAST-Jammu under the guidance of Prof. J. P. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu is showing its visibility at National level.Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director Education, Dr. M. S. Bhadwal, Dean, F.V.Sc. & A.H, Dr. Bikram Singh, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. S. K. Gupta, I/c Examination Cell, officers of the University, Head of the Divisions, Faculty members Sr. Scientist and Head of KVKs, Research Stations, non teaching employees, members from University media committee, students and farmers were also present during the valedictory function. Vote of thanks was presented by Dr. S. K. Gupta, Director SKUAST-Jammu and proceedings were conducted by Dr. Pawan Sharma.