VC SKUAST-J emphasizes on extension beyond production

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KATHUA: The 12th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting of KVK, Kathua was   today held here under the chairmanship of Prof. J.P.Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu.

Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director Extension; Sushil Kumar Angurana, Chief Horticulture Officer;   Raju Gupta, District Agriculture Officer (Extension); Amit Kumar, DDM NABARD; Narain Singh, Lead Bank Manager;  Marqueen Babu, DIC; Dr. Umesh Kumar, Assistant Veterinary Surgeon, Department of Animal Husbandry; Dr. Nitika Singh, Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, District Sheep Husbandry Department; B.V. Sharma, AEE, Irrigation; Rakesh Sharma & Kundan Lal, Forest Department,  Rakesh Kumar of Fisheries department and  Balbinder Singh, Inspector Department of Sericulture attended the meeting and provided feedback for finalizing the action plan of KVK, Kathua.

Prof. J.P. Sharma, appreciated the work done by KVK Kathua and applauded the coordination between KVK and line departments.

Stressing upon the target of doubling the farming income, Prof. Sharma suggested to concentrate on value addition, post harvest management, integrated farming system and marketing. He advised KVK scientists to prepare a vision document for district Kathua focusing on strengths, opportunities and constraints in agriculture and allied activities for initiating efforts to bring the farmers at national platform.

 The VC SKUAST-J advised KVK to develop units with a focus to popularize protected cultivation, processing, packaging and participatory seed production etc. He suggested concentrating on branding of products niche to district Kathua for facilitating farmers to market their products beyond Jammu and Kashmir. He further suggested organizing mass awareness programmes on new government schemes in agriculture for making farmers Aatamnirbhar within a short span of time. Prof. Sharma also suggested focusing on facilitation of farmers at every step of supply chain rather than only on demonstration of technologies. He also advised to document farmers’ innovations for motivating rural youths of the district.

Earlier, Dr. Vishal Mahajan, Senior Scientist & Head, presented the detailed Annual Progress Report of KVK Kathua for the year 2019-20 & 2020-21 (upto September, 2020), action taken on suggestions and directions received during the 11th SAC meeting. He highlighting the major success stories of KVK in field of agriculture, Animal husbandry, mushroom production and piggery. He presented the action plan of KVK for the year 2020-21.

Kumar Angurana, Chief Horticulture Officer, Kathua requested chairman to initiate the process of introducing peanut in district Kathua. He also requested provision for quality walnut plants for increasing area under fruit crops.

Raju Gupta, District Agriculture Officer, highlighted collaborative efforts taken by the Department with KVK for welfare of farming community.

The DDM, NABARD requested for submission of projects in collaboration with KVK in the field of sexed semen and IF .

 Dr. Umesh Kumar, Assistant Veterinary Surgeon, suggested for organization of specific programmes for rural and urban livestock.

 Farmers and farmer women as a member of SAC presented their views and requirements to be incorporated in the action plan of KVK, Kathua.

Dr. Berjesh Ajrawat SMS, Extension Education carried the proceedings and presented the vote of thanks. Over 20 members of SAC attended the meeting including of Dr. Pawan K. Sharma, Dr. Vijay K. Sharma,  Bharat Bhushan,  Vijay Singh and Sahil Sharma.