Governor discusses SKUAST-K research initiatives

SRINAGAR, MARCH 7: In extensive discussions with Dr. Nazeer Ahmad, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Srinagar, Governor N.N. Vohra has urged the farm scientists for ensuring effective transfer of technology from lab to farm and ensure optimal utilization of all resources available to the University for accelerating the growth of agriculture and its allied sectors in J&K.
The Governor who was accompanied by Mr. Khurshid A. Ganai, Advisor to the Governor, advised the Farm Varsity to play a significant role in the propagation of high quality seeds and plant materials and ensure that all available expertise is fully utilized for generating quality seeds and saplings of various crops and plants and see that these are timely supplied to the farmers. He also re-iterated his concern that everyKrishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) must play a pivotal role in carrying out extension work for the benefit of the farmers.
The Governor advised the Vice-Chancellor and his colleagues to set up a mechanism for the qualitative assessment of all research projects and, side by side, high importance should be given to carry out extension activities and Kissan Melas and other related activities should be held through the year. He also urged the VC to see that the achievements and success stories of progressive farmers are well publicized and also published both in English and in the vernacular languages.
The Governor was informed that nine externally funded projects and five TSP projects were sanctioned during the last six months, by different funding agencies, involving a total outlay of Rs. 481 lakhs, and three projects valuing about Rs. 400 lakh have been submitted to Agriculture Production Department under the Prime Ministers Package.
Highlighting the University’s efforts in producing better and high yielding varieties, the VC informed that new varieties have been developed for release in the State including two varieties of rice, one for the plains and another for the higher altitude areas; 6 speciality varieties of rice including two of Basmati, three local varieties and one exotic japonica; 3 high yielding varieties of masoor, rajmash and chickpea resistant to wilt, rust and ascochyta blight with added advantage of high protein content; a hybrid strain of Summer White Mushroom tolerant to high temperature has been identified for growing in the valley; blast resistance genes have been successfully incorporated in the local landrace Mushkbudji through Marker Assisted Selection and research efforts are in progress to identify suitable varieties of rice and wheat for double cropping.
The Governor was also informed that efforts for revival of Ambri apple, Kashmiri Chilli, local vegetables and local rice varieties like Mushkbudji, Kamad and Zag have been intensified by using SRI technology.
Besides the Advisor and the VC the meeting was attended Prof. A.R Trag, Vice-Chancellor, Islamic University of Science and Technology; Prof. Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi, Vice-Chancellor Kashmir University, Dr. Pradeep K. Sharma, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-J, Mr. M.A Bukhari, Commissioner Agriculture Production, Mr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Mr. Farooq Ahmed Lone, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and other concerned senior officers.