SKUAST-K hosts 18th Annual Review Meeting of MIDH Programme

Srinmagar, June 10: The inaugural session of 18th Annual Review Meeting of MIDH Programme to review the implementation of various projects for the year 2023-24 was held on Monday at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Shalimar Campus, Srinagar.
It was for the first time that SKUAST-Kashmir hosted the National Group Meeting under the chairmanship of Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner of India and Patronage of Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganie. The meeting was attended by Dr. R. Dinesh, Director ICAR-IISR Kozhikode, Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj, Director NRCSS and Dr. Homey Cheriyan, Director, Directorate of Arecanut& Spices Development, Kerala, Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir Prof. Haroon Naik., Director Extension Dr.Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, Dean Faculty of Horticulture Dr. Shabir Ahmad Mir, Registrar SKUAST-Kashmir Dr. Tariq Ahmad Masoodi, more than 90 delegates from various MIDH centres across India, students, media persons other stake holders.
In his presidential address Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganie presented a brief scenario of spices of India with special emphasis on world famous spice crops of J&K viz., saffron, Kashmiri Chilli, shallot (Pran), Cocoks comb (Mowal), hill garlic etc.
He also briefed about the importance of GI tagging of these spice crops for the economic and livelihood security of farmers of the region. Dr. Prabhat Kumar emphasised a targeted action plan to be framed at various centres in order to build our strengths and formulate new strategies.
A general review about the past and present of spice crops was given by Dr. Vinay Bharadwaj, Director NRCSS and Dr. R. Dinesh, Director ICAR-IISR Kozhikode. Director DASD, Dr. Homey Cherion presented a general scenario about spice crops of India besides laying emphasis on need to promote them for regional development and international trade.
The progress of MIDH programmes of the year 2023-24 at various centres across the country was evaluated and the physical targets for the current year 2024-25 were set.