Jammu, Aug 29: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu) has entered into a landmark partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This MoU aims to develop a Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farm (SADF) at SKUAST-Jammu. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Honourable Dr. B.N. Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, and Smt. Sneh Lata, Deputy Director General (North) of BIS.
Speaking at the event, Dr. B.N. Tripathi highlighted the long-standing association between SKUAST-Jammu and BIS. He noted that this MoU would further solidify their partnership and propel research and development (R&D) in farming to new heights. The collaboration is expected to enhance the university’s capacity to contribute to the agricultural sector through upgraded standards and innovative R&D support.
Smt. Sneh Lata, in her address, emphasized that the MoU is part of BIS’s broader initiative to instill quality consciousness among farmers. She expressed confidence that the knowledge base of SKUAST-Jammu, coupled with the standardization efforts of BIS, will significantly benefit farmers and society at large.
The SADF project, conceived by BIS, aims to enhance the agricultural sector by focusing on three critical areas: knowledge partnership with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Agricultural Universities (AUs) for technology and standardization, raising awareness among stakeholders about Indian Standards, and upgrading existing demonstration farms to generate data on productivity, soil quality, and sustainability. This data will support standards and policy development.
This partnership marks the first collaboration between BIS and an agricultural university in Jammu & Kashmir for the development of a SADF, signaling a new chapter in agricultural standardization in India. The partnership is set to bring advanced R&D support to SKUAST-Jammu, facilitating the upgradation of existing agricultural standards and contributing to the overall growth and development of the sector.
Earlier, Dr. S.K. Gupta, Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu, briefed the gathering about the university’s mandates that align with BIS’s goals.
The signing ceremony was attended by prominent figures from both BIS and SKUAST-Jammu, including Dr Amrish Vaid Director Extension, Dr Sanjay Khar Director Planning and Monitoring, Dr Rajinder Peshin Director Education, Dr Anil Kumar Registrar and Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Dr SEH Rizvi Dean Faculty of Basic Sciences, Dr Vikas Tandon Dean Faculty of Horticulture and Forestry, Dr Rajesh Katoch Dean Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Dr Sushil Sharma Dean Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Dr Jaswinder Sudan Dean Faculty of Dairy Technology, Dr Sudhakar Dwivedi Dean Students Welfare, Er Iqbal Singh Estate officer, Madan Lal Comptroller, Dr Ramesh Salgotra Director School of Biotechnology, Dr Punit Choudhary – Chief Scientist and Head KVK Jammu, Dr Pawan Sharma- Scientific Advisor to HVC of SKUAST-Jammu and other senior administrators. Shri Pankaj Atri – Joint Director, BIS JKBO, Niraj Kumar Mishra- Deputy Director, BIS JKBO and Hitesh Yadav- Deputy Director, BIS JKBO also attended the event
