Srinagar, May 5: Claiming that National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) revolutionized the agriculture and livestock in the Kashmir Valley, Director Research, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology Dr. A.R Trag said there had been tremendous enhancement in the production of paddy, wheat, mustard, maize, oats and vegetables since the implementation of this centrally sponsored project in 2007-2008.
  “In these three years by virtue of this project and hard work of agricultural scientists production of paddy has increased by 37.5 per cent, wheat 66 pc, mustard 30 pc, maize 50 pc, oats 32 pc and vegetables 100-130 pc,” Trag said while addressing scientists at a workshop, “Enhancement of Livelihood Security through Sustainable Farming Systems and Related Farm Enterprise in North-West Himalayas.”
 The three-day workshop that concluded today was organized jointly by the SKUAST-K and Vivekanada Parvatiya Krishi Anusthanan Almoda (VPKAS).
 He said under the project various technology transfer programmes were being carried out to enhance the production of the marginal farmers in the rural and disadvantaged districts like Kupwara.
 Director Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Dr. H.S Gupta said agriculture and the allied field played vital role in enhancing the livelihood of the farmers and urged the scientists to put in all efforts to develop agriculture and livestock sector in Kashmir Valley.
 “The central government is profusely funding through various projects for the enhancement of the production of grains, milk and other animal products that need to percolate to the rural areas through efficient transfer of technology from the research institutions to these agricultural based rural areas,” Gupta added.
 Associate Director Research (Animal Science), Dr. Farooq Ahmed Mattoo said for the upgradation of livestock 16 jersey bulls, 75 pure corridaele rams had been kept at the disposal of farmers together with artificial insemination facilities in Kupwara under NAIP, besides 50 water harvesting tanks were constructed in Langate and Tangdar clusters to avoid droughts due to lack of irrigation facilities.
 In his address, Vice chancellor SKUAST-K appreciated the scientists of the varsity for putting their efforts.  Various scientific publications were released by the vice chancellor on the occasion.
 Besides the varsity scientists, those present on the occasion were Dr. J.C Bhat Director VPKAS, Dr. A.K Srivastava  Project Cordinator NAIP, Dr. A.P Srivastava National coordinator NAIP, Dr. H.S Gupta Director IARI, Padam Bhushan Chandhi Prasad Bhatt Chairman CAC.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 6 May 2010 00:00:00 IST