Srinagar, June 10: SKUAST-Kashmir conducted 20th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting of KVK- Leh on Saturday at HMAARI, Campus Stakna.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Udham Singh Gautam, Dy. Director General (Extension) ICAR. Dr. Parvender Sheoron, Director ATARI, Zone-I was the Guest of Honours on this occasion.
The meeting was also attended by Director Extension, SKUAST-K Prof. (Dr.) Dil Muhammad Makhdoomi, Head KVK Pulwama, SKUAST-K, officers from the line departments of UT Ladakh and progressive farmers. Dr. D. Namgyal Associate Director (R&E) HMAARI, Leh welcomed the guests. Dr. Feroz Din Sheikh, Professor and Head KVK Leh presented the Action Taken Report of 19th SAC, Annual Progress Report (2022-23) and Action Plan (2023-24) of KVK Leh.
He gave a detailed presentation on all the activities of last year including the Action Taken Report. In his presentation, he presented the important achievements of KVK-Leh and the thrust areas where the Kendra is focusing.
In his overview, Prof. Dil Mohammad Makdhoomi, Director Extension SKUAST-K inform the gathering the salient activities related to dissipation and validation of technology and formation of entrepreneurs by KVK Leh.
He added that the University has conducted Ladakh Ist Agritech mela was organized at Leh at Kargil by the KVKs of the district. The mela in Kargil was first of its kind to be organized after thirty four years. He stressed research institutes, KVKs, Line Departments and farmers to take full utilization of Solar energy for which Ladakh is known for.
He also stressed on exploring the potential of livestock rearing in Leh and branding and packaging of value added products. Later Director ATARI in his speech advised the KVKs to focus on Market or profit oriented extension rather production oriented extension. He also advised the KVKs to confine their activities as per the mandates of KVKs.
He stressed on active participation of line departments in inservice training programmes where KVKs will work as resource centres and ask them to provide capsule or certified courses to the extension personnel. He assured to provide all infrastructure developmental help by providing vehicle to KVK Leh.
He also directed the KVKs to work on drudgery reduction of farm females by farm mechanization programme. Dr Udham Singh Gautham, Dy. Director General (Extension) ICAR in his address ask the KVK to confinement their activities as per their mandate and transfer all the research related issues to research institutes.
KVK will provide only backstopping and technical support in terms of capacity building for the members of FPOs. Feed backs from line deparments, SAC members were taken up during the meeting. All the members including the Chairman, praised the work done by KVK Leh and desired that all programmes related to Ladakh should be conducted in collaboration with line department. Dr. Kunzang Lamo, SMS (Veg. Science) concluded the programme by proposing vote of thanks.
