The Agriculture Department Kupwara today organized a daylong awareness programme at Town Hall, here to celebrate Tribal Farmers Field Day.Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie was Chief Guest on the occasion. Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Imam Din was the Guest of honour.Director Extension SKUAST-K, Dr. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi; Dean Agriculture SKUAST Wadoora, Dr. Rehana; Director Metrology Kashmir, Sonam Lotus, KVK Head Kupwara, Dr.Sajad Mohiddin, CAO Kupwara, CHO, CAHO, DSHO, besides, farmers and students attended the programme. In his address, the Vice Chancellor said that the SKUAST-K is always available for empowering the farmers with the latest scientific techniques and practices for increasing their productivity. He said that productivity of rice, pulses, milk and other crops have increased manifold with implementation of scientific agricultural practices by the farmers.
He appealed to the students to become confident agriculture entrepreneurs and generate employment opportunities for themselves and others as well. He said more than 10000 FPOs have been created across the country to help the farmers in value addition and marketing of their produce.He asked for the support from different stakeholders for handholding of the farmers for increasing their productivity to boost the economy of the J&K UT. Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner emphasized the role of applying scientific knowledge in agricultural fields. He impressed upon the farmers for implementation of the awareness provided in the programme to get benefitted. He emphasized the need for creation of market linkages and directed the concerned officers for connecting farmers with the FPOs which will enable them to sell their produce at competitive prices.
The Deputy Commissioner assured every possible support from the District administration for successful implementation of their programmes for welfare of the farmer community of the district.On the occasion, the Vice Chancellor and other dignitaries distributed certificates among various students for accomplishment of different short term courses from the Ministry of Skill Development.Meanwhile, packages of different Hybrid seeds were also distributed among various tribal farmers. Earlier various officers including CAO, CHO, CAHO and DSHO highlighted the activities and achievements of their respective departments.Later, the Vice Chancellor and other dignitaries inaugurated the Agro-Meteorological Station at KVK Kupwara and it was informed that the station will provide latest weather advisories to the farmers so that they could plan their agricultural activities properly.