KVK Pulwama emerges as rural knowledge hub: VC SKUAST-K

Pulwama, June 05: The Vice Chancellor of Shar e Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology Kashmir Dr Nazir Ahmad Gania lauded Krishi Vigyan Kendra Malangpora as an emerging rural knowledge hub imparting vital trainings to rural youth.
He was expressing his views during 27th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Malangpora in Pulwama district.
The 12th SAC Meeting ofs KVK Shopian was also conducted in the Auditorium of KVK Pulwama.
The meeting was presided over by Hon’ble Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Dr. Nazir Ahmad Ganai.
The meeting was also attended by Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, Director Extension SKUAST-K, Prof. T.H.Masoodi Registrar, SKUAST-K, Director Finance Dr. Manzoor Ahmad, Dean FoAWadura Prof. Rihana Habib Kant, other Officers of SKUAST Kashmir, Heads of different KVK’S, district Officers of the Line departments, Scientists of KVK’s, and progressive farmers and entrepreneurs from the twin districts.
The programme started with the welcome address by Prof. Afsah Nehvi.
Prof. Javeed Ahmad Mugloo, Head KVK Pulwama and Dr. Zaffar Afroz Badri, Head KVK Shopian presented detailed power point presentations of progress report for the year 2023-24 and proposed action plan for the year 2024-25 of their respective KVKs.
Both heads highlighted the potential areas of their respective districts which have been channelized to uplift the farming community of the respective districts. They assured that the KVKs will provide a complete technological backup support & carve innovative solutions to revive the niche crops of the concerned districts.
The programme also witnessed the interaction cum feedback session in which district officers from line departments also put forth their views and challenges they are facing in their district .
Progressive farmers of the twin districts while presenting their feed back expressed desire to work on scientific lines under the guidance of the KVKs.
While briefing the participants Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai impressed on both the university and development departments to make a roadmap, set the targets and work on it in a coordinated manner for the betterment of farming community.
He emphasised that the farmers are the priority of the University and scientists are working effortlessly to ameliorate the socio-economic condition of the farmers. Hon’ble VC advised the officers to breed more KVKs in the form of progressive and innovative champion farmers at block level to motivate more rural youth towards agriculture.
Prof. Ganai emphasised the special focus on KVK Malangpora due to Pulwama’s unique significance in agriculture, animal husbandry, and saffron cultivation. He appreciated KVK as an emerging rural knowledge hub that imparts training to rural youth under HDAP and other programmes.
Prof. (Dr.) Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, Director Extension SKUAST-K, appreciated the efforts of both the KVKs in carrying out their mandated activities religiously and focused on the initiatives of the University which are set to change the scenario of agriculture and allied sectors in the UT.
He expressed gratitude to all the officers for their valuable presence. The Scientists and officers of line departments pledged to work in unison to carry forward the technological developments undertaken by the University to fulfil the motive of making Agriculture & allied sectors remunerative.
On the occasion, publications of KVK Pulwama including an Annual Magzine “watthHawuk” 2 booklets on “Processing and preservation of vegetables and fruits” and “Soil sampling guidelines” were also released.
At the outset, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai inaugurated Custom hiring center and dedicated it to the farmers of the district. He along with other officers made a comprehensive tour to all the demonstrations units and were highly satisfied with the team work of KVK Pulwama in maintaining these units.