Srinagar, Jan 11: Minister for agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir impressed upon the scientists at SKUAST to take proactive initiative to improve productivity, quality and post harvest management of horticultural crops.
He said the availability of standard pesticides recommended by the SKUAST needed to be ensured for which advance steps were required to be taken by the concerned.
While appreciating the efforts of the university in issuing spray schedule timely, he expressed the desire that training courses may be organized by the varsity for the officials of the Development Departments to enable effective implementation of the spray schedule on sound scientific lines.
The minister was speaking at the 26th meeting of the Standing Evaluation Committee organized by SKUAST-K to finalize the spray schedule for the year 2010 in respect of the pests and diseases of apple, the major horticultural crop of the Valley.
Minister of State for Horticulture Javed Ahmad Dar emphasized for bridging the technological gap between production and productivity achieved at the University level and the actual farm situations through effective coordination between the University scientists, field officers of the Development Department and close liaison with the farming community associated with agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors.
Prof. Anwar Alam, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K on the occasion expressed satisfaction with updating the chemical spray schedule and impressed upon the concerned agencies to facilitate timely availability of the standard chemicals.
He expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture as well as Minister of State for Agriculture for participating in the meeting and giving valuable suggestions for  effective implementation of the University recommendations in general and to that of spray schedule in particular.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST