Students of Government Degree College Reasi during their two days study visit to SKUAST-Jammu got exposed to the latest scientific advancements in agriculture. The visit was organized by JKSTIC, Udhampur and held under the guidance of Dr. B.N. Tripathi, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu and Dr. B.C. Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture.
The event was coordinated by Shruti Khanna, District Coordinator from JKSTIC, Udhampur and Dr. Sachin Gupta from SKUAST-Jammu. In his address to the students, Dr. B.C. Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture briefed the students about various activities and academic programmes of the University and motivated them to become future agri-preneurs.
60 students visited various constituent units of the University like NAHEP-IDP, Mushroom Unit, Apiculture Unit, Mega seed and School of Biotechnology and interacted with scientists and students of the University. Modern Language laboratory established in the IDP cell was the main attraction for the visiting students. During their visit to School of Biotechnology, the students learnt about the various biotechnological interventions that are in use for the crop improvement and raising o seedlings through tissue culture.
In the mushroom unit, the students learnt about various types of mushrooms, their round the year cultivation and nutritional importance. During their visit to Apiculture Unit, the students learnt about the benefits of beekeeping as a source of income generation and about the various products besides honey that are produced by honey bee. In the Mega seed Unit, the students learnt about various types of protocols and methods for seed production and also saw the live demonstration of processing of seeds that is being provided to farmers through University.
It was a first time eye opener exposure of the students to the latest advancements in entrepreneurship opportunities in Agriculture and allied fields. The scientists who interacted with students were Dr. Amrish Vaid, Dr. Moni Gupta, Dr. Manmohan Sharma, Dr.Vishal Raina, Dr. Devinder Sharma and Dr. Susheel Sharma. The students were accompanied by Dr. Anchal Raj and Dr. Gourav Gupta from GDC Reasi.
The students showed great enthusiasm during their interactions with the faculty of the University. Meeting was also held among the authorities of SKUAST-Jammu and JKSTIC to explore the possibilities of arranging more such visits and collaborations in the near future.