Kissan Mela

N.N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir inaugurated two days Kisanmela2017 “Integrated Farming: Profitable and Sustainable Farming”in which thousands of farmers from different districts of Jammu region and outside the state participated. Keeping in view the valuable research and technologies developed by the university, the KisanMela focused on demonstration of the transferable technologies to improve agriculture productivity and sustainability in the Jammu region. In this mela around 2000 farmers from different districts of Jammu region visited the mela on first day. N.N. Vohra Governor& Chancellor SKUAST-Jammuvisited the stalls set up by the different Divisions of the university, KrishiVigyanKendras (KVKs), Department of Agriculture, Department of Floriculture, Department of Fisheries, Department of Animal Husbandry and other allied departments. The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, Guru AngadDevVeterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) Ludhiana, private entrepreneur, farmers had also set up stalls. The Governor along GhulamNabi Lone, Minister for Agriculture Production, Daljit Singh Chib Vice Chairman, J&K State Advisory Board for Farmer Welfare, Promod Kumar Jain Financial Commissioner Agriculture and Dr.Pradeep K. Sharma Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu visited the agri-exhibition stalls and livestock show. The Governor N.N. Vohrawas felicitated by progressive Bakharwal with traditional turban. While addressing the farmers, Governor, N.N. Vohra appreciated the achievements made by the university since last 17 years of its inception. He emphasised the replication of the Integrated Farming System developed by the university which is economically remunerative. He also expressed his concern that the state is importing meat worth 1500-2000 croresfrom outside the state. For making state self-sufficient the university and the allied department should work in tandem.GhulamNabi Lone Minister of Agriculture Production J&K Government in his address to farmers expressed his concern regarding import of agricultural goods from outside the state.He congratulated the university for developing technologies and laid emphasis that these should be disseminated to farmers in coordination with the development departments. Vice Chairman D.S. Chib appreciated farmers for exhibiting their farm produce and livestock in the Kisanmelaas it facilitates farmer to farmer interaction which is the biggest benefit of such Melas.He also highlighted the initiative taken by the present Central and State Government for the benefit of Kisan and for that he thank the Prime Minister and the State Government. PromodJain, Financial Commissioner Agriculture thanked the farmers for attending the Mela in such a large number. Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu Dr.Pradeep K. Sharma welcomed the dignitaries and laid emphasis on Integrated Farming System to augment the farmer’s income as small land holdings are not economically sustainable. Dr. K.S. Risam Director Extension SKUAST-Jammu emphasised upon the farming community to have close liasoning with the farm university so that the technologies developed by the university can reach to the farmers field. The vote of thanks was presented by Dr. K.S Risam. Proceeding of the inaugural session was conducted by AshwaniJojra Assistant Project Officer, Department of Agriculture.