Srinagar, July 07: Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K kick started DST-SERB Funded 10 days High End Workshop on “Drought Management for Horticultural Crops in Ecology Fragile Landscape of North-Western Himalayas of India.”
The training is being carried out with the broad objectives of teaching and training the agricultural science students about the current research status in the drought-stress at physiological and molecular levels followed by suggesting mitigatory measures based on the knowledge gained. The workshop further aims at integrating the knowledge and expertise from the specialists from the different corners of the country that can benefit the stakeholders including agricultural students, scientists, environmentalists, and policy makers.
Acting Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K (Prof. M. A. A. Siddiqui) graced the inaugural session as the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, he emphasized that the deteriorating environmental health in the fragile Himalayan regions of India including Jammu and Kashmir need to be addressed on priority and, therefore, stressed upon all the participants that the knowledge gained from the workshop shall be utilized practically for protection of the ecosystem for future generations. He said that the current alarming pace of deterioration has necessitated actions on a war footing bases which includes holding of such training programs to educate and sensitise various stake holders. Dean Faculty of Horticulture Prof. Neelofar Bandey while speaking on the occasion, stressed upon the necessity of generating drought tolerant crops to counter the drought induced productivity losses. Prof. F. A. Khan, H.O.D of the Division of Basic Sciences and Humanities, presented a brief overview of the workshop and also apprised the gathering about various thrust areas of the host Division. Dr. Zaffar M. Dar, organiser of workshop spoke on the occasion and gave brief account of the programme in the context of increased occurrences of drought in the Kashmir valley. Citing the previous advisories from the government metrological department regarding the discontinuation of water exhaustive crop cultivation particularly in North Kashmir, it was stressed upon finding solutions to the drought situations vis-à-vis cultivation of resistant crops and understanding the physiology of crops under the drought conditions.
The Workshop is attended by the PG students come from various universities across different states of India and also from SKUAST-K. The workshop will conclude on 12th July 2023.
