Srinagar, Apr 18: J&K is deficient in food grains by 30-40 per cent. In terms of production and productivity it’s far below the national average, said vice chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof Anwar Alam.
 “We have the technologies, if implemented we can achieve the target,” he added.
 Speaking on the first day of the two-day 45th Research Council Meeting (RCM) Kharif 2010 at the Shalimar campus of SKUAST, Prof Alam laid emphasis on scientists’ to work towards increasing production and productivity. “This can be achieved with proper application of nutrients, tapping of ground water for irrigation and timely pest control measures,” he said.
 The Vice-Chancellor also talked about Conservation Agriculture which helps in increasing production, productivity, profitability and water storage. “Greater attention should be paid by crop scientists in this direction for sustainable food security,” he said.
 He asked the scientists to shun the sluggishness and “try new concepts with collaboration of farmers through usage of zero till machine and raised bed farming which has become quite popular.”
 In order to overcome the problem of residual effect of pesticides and other chemicals on the produce and keeping in view the demand of consumers for organic product he advocated for application of bio-fertilizers.
 “The scientists, officers of the development departments and private sector have a role to play in this endeavor,” he said.
 He advised the scientists of Plant Pathology and Entomology to work towards getting the cycle of sprays reduced down in order to avoid the volume of residual toxicity.
 He also stressed the need for high density orcharding which, he said, could be done through technologies requirements in place and impressed upon the horticultural scientists to ensure supply of quality and disease free saplings to the farmers.
 “The University is supposed to supply disease free saplings and should have a gene bank which is very essential,” he said.
 He said the technologies and varieties developed in the University should immediately be transferred to the farmers’ field for its multiplication purposes.
 The VC emphasized on creation of bull mother farm, semen processing centre and better feed and fodder management in the university.
 Earlier Prof. A.R. Trag, Director Research, SKUAST-K and Member Secretary of the RCM welcomed the participants to the meeting.
 He gave a detailed overview of the achievements of the varsity and informed that 17 high yielding varieties and hybrids of field, vegetable and fruit crops were released during 2009.
 He said initiatives have already been taken to ensure the availability of seed of kharif season varieties to the Department of Agriculture so that it is effectively put in the production chain.
 He said several other varieties are in the pipeline both in agriculture and horticulture crops that include maize, rajmash, soybean, walnut, peach, chestnut as well as floricultural crops. “144 research projects were concluded during 2009-10, 580 research projects are on-going,” he said.
 “More than 75 projects are expected to be proposed in this RCM for approval. Besides, twenty two projects with financial assistance of Rs 6.5 crores were sanctioned by various external funding agencies. Five varieties of wheat, rice and pulses have been proposed by respective breeders for release,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST