SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) on Thursday reviewed its research and extension roadmap during the 58th and 59th meetings of the Research and Extension Advisory Committee (REAC), with Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai calling for farmer-centric, demand-driven research to strengthen the bioeconomy, agribusiness and climate-resilient agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairing the meetings, Prof. Ganai said the university’s research should remain focused on addressing farmers’ needs while promoting value addition, entrepreneurship and technology commercialisation. He said innovation-led agricultural research would play a key role in achieving the vision of *Viksit Bharat @2047* and positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a hub of agricultural innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor also congratulated the university’s scientists for developing improved crop varieties and farmer-oriented technologies and released several university publications during the meeting.
Director Extension Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth presented the agenda and outlined the role of the Research and Extension Advisory Committee in aligning SKUAST-K’s research and extension programmes with the evolving requirements of farmers and other stakeholders.
During the deliberations, the committee reviewed the Action Taken Report (ATR), proposals for release of new crop varieties before the University Varietal Release Committee (UVRC) and the State Seed Sub-Committee (SSSC), progress of minikit trials and fresh research proposals submitted by various faculties and research stations.
The university informed the committee that it has transferred 87 technologies to end users, released eight improved crop varieties and advanced 13 additional varieties for release. It has also initiated 15 minikit trials to validate new technologies under field conditions and promote their wider adoption among farmers.
SKUAST-K also highlighted the reach of its extension programmes, stating that 5,550 beneficiaries were trained under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), 6,550 through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), 850 through the Directorate of Extension and around 16,000 participants under MSME-supported skill development initiatives aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods and entrepreneurship.
Concluding the meeting, Prof. Ganai emphasised greater collaboration among research institutions, government departments and other stakeholders to accelerate agricultural innovation, improve farmers’ incomes and build a resilient, knowledge-driven agricultural economy in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meetings were attended by the Director Agriculture, Kashmir, representatives of the Departments of Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, deans, directors, heads of divisions, KVK programme coordinators, scientists and members of the Research and Extension Advisory Committee.
