Jammu, Nov 29: Terming the application of modern farm technology as essential ingredient for raising production and productivity, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Monday laid thrust on bridging the gap between land and lab.
 The Chief Minister, who is also Pro Chancellor of Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), said that the research conducted by the SKUAST in agriculture and allied sectors was required to be utilized in the fields to give fillip to the development and progress of agro-activities. “Present age is the period of science and technology”, he said adding that agricultural experts and subject matter specialists have to ensure that new established trends of modern farming were popularized and universalized in the State.
 Omar Abdullah today visited SKUAST, Jammu, interacted with students and faculty. He went around various disciplines besides taking a view of the cultivation of new and high yielding seed varieties of various crops produced by the University. He also inspected poly-houses and seed processing center.
 Highlighting the role of SKUAST in the fields of academics and research, Omar Abdullah said that the University should also address agronomic requirements of different zones in the State. “Our variegated topography and geographical phenomenon coupled with diverse climatic conditions, require area specific approach on cultivation front”, he said and asked the University to focus on this unique feature in their research programmes.
 The Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Jammu. Dr. B. Mehra in a PowerPoint presentation gave resume of the functioning of the University. He dwelt in detail about the academic activities, financial standing, infrastructural development and research programme of the University.
 Dr. Mehra said besides creating various new high yielding and diseases resistant varieties of Basmati, Wheat and Maize, the University has achieved new goals in the development of improved varieties of vegetables, Zeera, Mushroom, etc.
 He said the University has produced 2351 quintals of nucleus, breeder and foundation seeds of different varieties of rice and wheat in 2009-10 as against 1325 quintals in 2005-06.
 The Chief Minister was also apprised of the research work conducted by the University in the fields of Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Sericulture, Horticulture, Floriculture, Apiary, Olive, Saffron, Zeera, Chilgoza, Mushroom, Morchilla esculenta (Guchhi), Hazelnut and medicinal plants.
 The Vice Chancellor said that since the inception of University more than 800 graduate and post graduate students have passed out while presently 650 odd are presently graduating in the institution. He said University has opened its centers at various places and farmer’s training in latest farm technology has been made a regular feature.
 Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam, Hassan Mir, Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla and Minister of State for Agriculture, Javid Ahmad Dar were accompanying the Chief Minister.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST