SRINAGAR: One day Workshop on “Small Farm Agricultural production and Post-production Mechanization” was organized by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) New Delhi in collaboration with SKUAST-Kashmir on 12th June, 2019 at SKUAST-Kashmir Shalimar. Shri K.Skandan, Advisor to Hon’ble Governor, J&K State was the Chief Guest and Prof. Nazeer Ahmed, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor presided over the function. Dean Faculty of Horticulture welcomed the guests on the occasion.
Assistant Director General (FE), Dr. K.K. Singh, Project Coordinators from Centre of AICRP on PHET, FIM, ESA and UAE attended the workshop and also presented the progress of the respective centers. Directors from Line Departments viz. Director Horticulture Kashmir, Mr. Aijaz Ahmad Bhat; Director Command Area, Mr. Mohammad Haroon; Managing Director (HPMC), Director CITH-ICAR, Dr. D.B. Singh; Shri Bhawani Rakhwal, Dy. Director Horticulture, Jammu; Director Agriculture Kashmir, Syed Altaf Indrabi; Mr. Shafat Sultan, MD (Agro-Industries) also participated in the event.
The Chief Guest on the occasion stressed that in order to promote mechanization there has to be a change in the mindset of the farmer and to create an eco-system where the technology could easily be adopted. He also emphasized upon for development of mobile application where new technologies developed could be communicated to them. Also the industry persons can help in developing business farm centers where technology of the University could be demonstrated and also agricultural engineering graduates could be engaged.
Prof. Nazeer Ahmed, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir highlighted the importance and role of mechanization in farm sector and emphasized on development of farm machines and equipments to double the farmers’ income. He further elaborated on framing of income driven agriculture by introduction of mechanization in production and post-harvest management. He also emphasized on rice-wheat rotation through mechanization and for promotion of machines and equipments developed by SKUAST-K for walnut processing and value addition, introduction and popularization low cost thrashers for promoting in the State. Use of precision farming, artificial intelligence, GIS and Sensors can also be applied for increasing the productivity and reducing production cost.
Dr. K.K.Singh, ADG (FE) gave general overview of mechanization in three north western Himalayan states of J&K, Uttarakhand and HP. He also gave information of various schemes being implemented by GoI in these three states besides diversification and intensification in agriculture by the year 2022 for doubling the farmers’ income.
During the interaction various issues related to importance of mechanization in agriculture were raised and deliberated upon. Mr. Sheikh Ashiq, President, KCCI; Mr. Abdul Rashid Chandaino, Director, AARAFH Foods, Anantnag; Mr. Majid Wafai, President, Apple Cold Store Association also deliberated upon various issues related to their industries and were assured by the Chairman that their all concerns and requirement will be considered and taken up for betterment of the fruit/food industry.
The event ended with the vote of thanks by Prof. H.R.Naik, HoD FST. A booklet comprising of technologies developed by various centers of Regional Zone-1 was released by Chief Guest on the occasion.