Srinagar, April 11: The Directorate of Extension, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Friday conducted a three-day Pre-Scientific Advisory Committee (Pre-SAC) meetings of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) from April 9 to 11. The meetings were chaired by Prof Raihana H. Kanth, Director Extension and SAMETI.
Pre-SAC meetings hold vital significance in formulating and refining the Annual Action Plans of KVKs, serving as the foundational discussions ahead of the final SAC meetings for ratification.
During the sessions, Prof Raihana H. Kanth emphasised the importance of these preliminary meetings, offering insightful suggestions for enhancing planning and ensuring effective implementation of on-farm trials and front-line demonstrations at the field level. She also underlined the necessity of collaboration between KVKs and line departments, noting that such synergy is crucial for gathering practical feedback on technologies developed and demonstrated by the university.
The meetings witnessed active participation from Heads of Divisions, KVK Scientists, Subject Matter Specialists, and scientists from the Directorate. The proposed Annual Action Plans of various KVKs under SKUAST-K were thoroughly deliberated. A key focus of the discussions was the unification of On-Farm Trials (OFTs) and Front-Line Demonstrations (FLDs) across KVKs to promote and validate new agricultural technologies at diverse locations across districts. Before being tabled at the Pre-SAC meetings, the action plans were discussed in detail with district-level officials by the concerned KVK scientists, ensuring contextual relevance and practical feasibility. The event was effectively coordinated at the Directorate level by the KVK Coordination Cell, led by Prof Lyaqet Ali and Dr Mohammad Iqbal Bhat.