KL Report
SRINAGAR
N N Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday highlighted the crucial role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the transfer of agricultural technologies to the farmers for the rapid and sustainable advancement of agriculture and its allied sectors, particularly in the remote and difficult areas of the state.
The Governor was speaking at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi and the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, at Raj Bhavan here today.
The MoU has been signed for the establishment of two Krishi Vigyan Kendras, one at Budgam and the other at Changthang in Nyoma area of Ladakh district. The MoU was signed in the presence of the Governor, who is Chancellor of the University, and Dr S Ayyappan, Director General, ICAR.
“This would go a long way in advancing the growth of agriculture and livestock and bring about a visible difference in the lives of people,” Vohra said.
He urged Dr Ayyappan to also urgently consider establishing KVKs in other remote and far-flung areas of the state, such as Gurez and Zanskar, which have very high potential and required focussed attention for the growth of agriculture sector. “Such initiatives would immensely benefit the farming community of these areas.”
Recalling the loss of Pashmina goats, sheep and cattle in the Changthang area of Ladakh this winter, the Governor stressed the high importance of all required measures being taken, including the procurement of feed and fodder, setting up units for bailing the fodder to enable economical transportation, establishment of feed/fodder storage centres in the remote areas and putting in place animal shelters, wherever required in the Ladakh region.
Dr S Ayyappan, Director General, ICAR, New Delhi, observed that it is a historical occasion as the MoU for the establishment of KVKs has been signed in the presence of the Governor, who has been taking keen interest in the functioning of KVKs and the growth of agriculture and its allied sectors in the state. “ICAR is working on a mission mode with the objective of farmer first; whatever is required would be done to make Changthang KVK more customized.
