3-day Annual Zonal workshop on KVKs takes off ;Jammu & Kashmir bats for extension and marketing beyond Production

JAMMU, JULY 18: A three-day online Annual Zonal Workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK)s for 2020-21 under ICAR-ATARI, Zone-I started today.

The workshop has been organized with the objective to review the work carried out by KVKs of Zone-1 during the previous year and approval an action plan for the year 2021-22.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. T. Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & DG (ICAR), New Delhi who was Chief Guest, on the occasion. Dr. B.S. Dhillon, Former Vice-Chancellor, PAU, Ludhiana was Guest of Honour. Prof. J. P. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu and SKUAST-Kashmir in his opening remarks stressed upon patenting of technologies developed by SKUAST-Jammu. He said that KVKs and Research stations are contributing to the development of the agricultural system and it is appreciated at all levels.

Prof. Sharma informed that, based on One District One Product, SKUAST-Jammu has identified different potential enterprises like walnut for Kishtwar and Spices for Doda etc to enhance the farmers’ income. He also emphasized that Kala Zeera, Saffron and High-Density Orchards are our priority areas and the UT Department is already working with NAFED for High-Density Orchards to achieve the target of conversion of 5500 hectares into High-Density Apple Orchards.

Prof. Sharma further said that another focus area that needs priority is processing and value addition as processing at the National level is 7 per cent and in vegetables, it is 2 per cent whereas J&K UT is processing only 1 per cent of the agricultural commodities. He said KVKs of SKUAST-Jammu are vigorously working in the processing and value addition area for increasing the income to farmers’ to many folds.

He further said that Seed replacement rate, participatory seed production programme, climate-smart agriculture etc are other areas that need to be focused on priority. Prof. Sharma also informed the gathering that SKUAST-Jammu has been designated as Cluster-Based Business Organisations (CBBOs) for the establishment of FPOs and their handholding and this is the area where KVK can play their role. Prof. Sharma said marketing is very important in addition to production for doubling income of the farmers’ even branding, processing and marketing can enhance the income of farmers to many folds.

Dr. A.K. Singh, DDG (Agril. Ext), ICAR, New Delhi, Dr. H.K. Chaudhary, Vice-Chancellor, CSKHPKV, Palampur, Dr. Ajeet Kumar Karnatak, Vice-Chancellor, VCSG UUHF, Bharsar, Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Dr. Parvinder Kaushal, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. YS Parmar UHF, Solan, Dr. Tej Partap, Vice-Chancellor, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Dr Rajbir Singh, Director, ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana and Dr. S. K. Gupta, Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu also attended the inaugural session and put-forth their remarks.

Director Extension, SKUAST-Jammu Dr. S. K. Gupta presented the detailed overview of technological backstopping of KVK staff and extension activities of SKUAST-Jammu.  He also informed the house about the status of establishment of three new KVKs of SKUAST-Jammu at Ramban, Kishtwar and Udhampur districts of the Jammu region for which the proposal has already been submitted to Director ATARI.

During the workshop, Sr. Scientist and Head of all the KVKs of SKUAST-Jammu viz, Dr. Vinod Gupta, Dr. Punit Choudhary, Dr. Vishal Mahajan, Dr. Arvind K Isher, Dr. Ajay Gupta, Dr. Banarsi Lal and Dr. Amit Charak presented their Annual Progress Report for the year 2020-21 and proposed action plan for the year 2021-22.

The inaugural session was concluded with the Vote of thanks by Dr. R.K. Rana, Principal Scientist, ICAR-ATARI, Ludhiana. After the inauguration, the programme proceeded with the Technical sessions.