SRINAGAR: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Srinagar, SKUAST-Kashmir in collaboration with 41 Battalion BSF, launched two Skill Development Certificate Course on Hi-Tech Mushroom Farming and Digital Soil Maping for precision Agriculture at KVK Campus today.
The Training Course was inaugurated by Prof Nazir A Ganai, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir in presence of Prof. R.H. Kanth, (Director Extension), Ms. Rifat Aftab Qureshi (Additional District Development Commissioner Srinagar) and Shri Sanjai K. Singh (Commandant 41 Bn BSF Humhama) who presided as the Guests of honour.
The said certificate course is being co-hoisted by 41Bn BSF and with technical support by MRTC, FOH SKUAST-K and IMDC Directorate of Agriculture Production, Lal Mandi.
In his inaugural address, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ganai exhorted the organisers and the participating youth to make said skill course purposeful and impact oriented to establish their commercial mushroom enterprises for cultivation of high value medicinal mushroom strains to ensure their livelihood and economic security. Prof. Ganai advised the PI. MRTC to submit a proposal for MoU with other Countries on Supply and Value Chain system on mushroom cultivation. Director Extension in her remarks stress on the value addition of the mushroom products and their subsequent linkage with IBPR, SKUAST-K for branding and marketing of the products for higher market prices. The Vice Chancellor had a word of appraisal for the KVK Team led by Dr. Simnani in bolstering the efforts to collaborate and strengthening the proactive linkage with all stakeholders and defence forces in particular besides upscaling the KVK activities.
Prof. Shamim A. Simnani, Head KVK Srinagar, outlined the program’s objective to nurture and foster entrepreneurial skills among the youth in line with the PM’s Slogan of Skilling of Next Gen. is a national need and foundation of Atmanirbhar Bharat to bridge the gap between industry demand and skill requirement so as to reduce dependence on govt. jobs and to make youth self-reliant and self-empowered. On the occasion, Custom Hiring Farm Machinery Centre of the Kendra established under HADP Project-09 was also inaugurated by Vice Chancellor along with the other dignitaries.
Release of a booklet titled “Media Led Agriculture Extension Outreach Journey of the KVK Srinagar by Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K was the highlight of the event.
The event was attended by Shri Rajesh K. Panday (Dy. CO 41 Bn) and Dr. I.A. Mir, Dr. Hasseb ur Rehman, Dr. Showket, Dr. Owais, the coordinators of the programme, officers from Deptt. of Agriculture Production besides expert resource persons from IMDC & MRTC, representatives from HADP P. No: 09.