Ganderbal, May 26: Assistant Director General (AAF&CC) ICAR Dr. Rajbir Singh visited KVK Ganderbal to review the progress made in strengthening IFS model and establishment of modern demonstration units and specialty crops suitable for various agro-ecological zones of district Ganderbal.
He visited various greenhouses, protected structures, HDP unit’s viz., Apple, Cherry, Walnut, Apiary, Fisheries, Lavender, Saffron, Kalazeera blocks etc. During his maiden visit he discussed various innovative approaches under taken by KVK to strengthen different components under IFS model. Dr. Singh appreciated the steps under taken to transform this KVK into a model KVK during last 2 years under the leadership of senior scientist & Head KVK Ganderbal Dr Ishfaq Abidi which will surely help different stakeholders particularly the farmers, rural youth, women and entrepreneurs to undertake diverse activities in agriculture and allied sectors.
The cropping pattern undertaken and choice of crops selected by the scientific team to boost the income of farmers is praiseworthy. He assured that the goals of ICAR under the vision of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof N.A Ganai, and guidance of Director Extension Prof. D.M.Makdoomi and able leadership of Dr. Ishfaq Abidi and team to make this KVK as Center of Excellence in the whole country will be further strengthened in varied ways.
He was highly satisfied that this KVK has taken a lead in development of quality silage for strengthening the nutritional needs of livestock and fulfilling the feed and fodder deficiency in this sector to a large extent. Dr Abidi informed that new initiatives for product based cropping pattern in medicinal and aromatic plants, specialty and horticultural Crops will help to develop business models and startups in KVKs across the valley and rest of the country.
He had an interactive session with the scientific staff particularly with respect to plant protection, animal husbandry, seed and crop production with Dr. Farooq Ahmad Ahanger, Dr. Shaheen Farooq various suggestions have been put forth for further up -scaling and improvement with respect to farmers participation, out-reach programmes, infrastructure development etc. or further strengthening the KVKGanderbal.
