Srinagar, Mar 21: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir, Shalimar celebrated first of its kind Spring Blossom Festival – 2023 as an initiative towards promotion of Horti-Tourism sector in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir at the bewitching orchards of Shalimar Campus in the lap of Zabarwan Hills besides showcasing the floral biodiversity of the valley.
The blossom festival was organized by the Division of Fruit Science, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-Kashmir. The inaugural ceremony was held at Nectarine Block of Division of Fruit Science and was thrown open for the public by the Chief Guest Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir, Saurabh Bhagat, IAS, Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, J&K Government and Prof. Ravindra Kumar Sinha, Vice Chancellor SMVDU, Katra, Jammu.
The Vice Chancellor and Visiting dignitaries congratulated the Head Division, Scientists and the Staff of the Division for conceptualizing such a wonderful and innovative idea as a step towards entrepreneurship development among the youth and students in particular.
On the occasion, Prof. Shamim A Simnani, Head Division of Fruit Science highlighted the significance of organizing the blossom festival as a step towards doubling of farmer’s income through the promotion of Horti-Tourism sector in addition to the regular annual harvest.
Further, Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad underlined the need for creation of Horticulture based new arenas of entrepreneurship through genetic bio diversification of minor and other temperate Fruit crops through venturing into IOT based farm mechanization to make orcharding a profitable enterprise. Commissioner Secretary Saurabh Bhagat in his inaugural remarks commended the SKUAST-K for organizing such a mesmerizing blossom day and expressed the hope that the event would prove beneficial in a long way in enriching the visiting educational institutions with the scientific knowledge of temperate Fruit diversity of the valley.
