Ganderbal, Feb 10: The ‘Holistic Agriculture Development Project’ was formally launched in the district on Friday at GDC, Ganderbal.
The project was inaugurated byADC Ganderbal Mr. Mehrajudin Shah in presence of Prof (Dr.) Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, Director Extension SKUAST-Kashmir; Chowdhary M. Iqbal, Director Agriculture Kashmir & Dr Ishfaq Abidi Head KVK Ganderbal.
It aims to create awareness and build confidence in collaboration with all line departments for organizing, facilitating and taking all stakeholders on board for implementation of the prestigious project.
The approved plan consists of 29 projects, which aim to push agriculture & allied sectors to a new trajectory of growth, with the mission of massive transformation of agriculture in the UT.
Dr. Ishfaq Abidi, Head, KVK Ganderbal informed the participants that the approved projects will transform the agricultural economy of the UT in the next five years by doubling the outputs, boosting exports and making the sectors more sustainable.
He focussed on the importance of increasing the production of fodder resources by using improved varieties as well as hybrids and low-cost farmer friendly hydroponic units.
ADC Ganderbal, Mr. Mehrajudin Shah, Chief Guest of the event expressed gratitude to the KVK and University for reaching out to the farmers of the district through various programmes.
He emphasised on the use of Information & Communication technology for improvement of the Agriculture sector in the District. He also focussed on dissemination of knowledge from lab to land through Panchayat and other local bodies.
Prof. Makhdoomi, described the aims and objectives of the Holistic Agriculture Development Project. He described the conceptualization and formulation of the programme and said that the plan will change the face of the Agriculture sector in the UT.
He stressed on adopting all the guidelines for implementation of project in letter & spirit for transforming agriculture from subsistence activity to a sustainable venture.
Chowdhary M Iqbal, Director Agriculture Kashmir described the importance of better policy making for making J&K more self-sufficient. He encouraged his team of ground workers to update themselves about the latest technologies for implementation of the project in Ganderbal and directed the officials to strictly attend the training as per schedule.
The programme concluded with an Interaction cum feedback session between the Scientists and trainees.
The programme was attended by CAHO, DSHO, DSO, DDRs, Assistant Directors, Veterinary Assistant Surgeons, BVOS, AEOs and JAEOs, SDAOs, other technical staff of line departments and scientists from the SKUAST Kashmir & KVK.
