Srinagar, June 10: The 21st Regional Committee Meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for J&K, Himachal Paradesh and Uttrakhand began at SKUAST-Jammu.
 The meet was inaugurated by Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agricultural J&K. The three-day meeting will review the status of agriculture research, analyze, discuss and make recommendations on the location specific problems of agricultural scenario. 
 Mir on the occasion expressed concern over “declining interest of the youngsters in the farming sector.”
 “To promote agriculture in the hill states and attract young generation to it, farming has to be economically viable,” he said.
 The minister appreciated the efforts of Directorate of Maize Research, ICAR for providing seed of single cross hybrids for popularizing the technology and enhancing the maize productivity in the state.
 He acknowledged the work of agricultural scientists since 1947 for making India a food surplus country, despite surge in population.
 He asked the universities and development departments in J&K to replicate the model of the green revolution in the state. 
 He thanked the Prime Minster for announcing National Mission for Saffron at Srinagar on June 7, 2010.
 Minster of Rural Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Sagar laid emphasis on developing an effective linkage between lab to land for benefiting the farming community and overall rural development.
 The Minster for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Rahulla pointed out that scientists should come up with a concrete programme to enhance the fertility rate of quality livestock.
 He informed the state is importing meat and poultry worth Rs 1400 crores. He asked the scientists to come up with action plan for increasing the production of meat and poultry for improving the economic conditions of the farmers and meeting the consumption requirements of the state.
 The Minister for Horticulture, Sham Lal Sharma highlighted the problems of horticulture sector in the state. 
 Dr. S. Ayyappan, Director General ICAR, said it was only in agricultural research and extension that on every rupee spent, a return of seven rupees had been achieved.
 He exhorted all the scientists and the administrators  for implementing the recommendations  that would come out of the meeting.
 Vice-chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu welcomed the Ministers, administrators and farmers to the meet.
 The event shall conclude on June 12.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST