Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-Kashmir inaugurates state of art - Administrative cum Laboratory Block at KVK Gurez

 

The event was attended Director Extension Prof Dil Mohammad Mukhdoomi , Director Research Cum Director ( P&M ) Prof Haroon Rashid Naik , Estates officer Er Junaid Nazir Khan , local administration , officers of the Development Departments , progressive farmers , trainees and entrepreneurs besides Head and all scientific / supporting staff of KVK Gurez and MAR&E , Izmarg

 

Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor while inaugurating the infrastructure located under the foothills of famous Haba-Khatoon Hill at Dawar informed that the given set-up will serve as the centre of excellence to train the farmers in frontier areas, inculcate skill and knowledge to rural youth through capacity building programmes and serve as the model for various demonstrations in respect of agriculture and allied sectors at Gurez valley. 

 

We are committed to keep Gurez pesticide free and promote sustainable Agriculture, promote the Niche crops including Kala Zeera, Potato, Buckwheat, Rajmash , Honey etc and preserve local biodiversity including Gurezi Sheep , informed the Vice-Chancellor. 

 

He further added that the Gurez is the brand for organic produce and, therefore, utmost care must be taken for the treatment and control of insect, pests or diseases through organic approaches and prototypes designed by the University to promote quality of life and ensure the profitability in Agriculture.

 

During the inspection of different stalls at the Kendra , the Vice-Chancellor was informed that the Division of LPT , FVSc &AH Shuhama in collaboration with KVK Gurez has come-up with HADP project aiming at inculcating knowledge through trainings followed by hand-holding support in the form of processing tools and techniques (Paddle Operated Charkha) besides facilitation in branding and marking of woollen products. 

 

The Chief guest witnessed that the group has come-up with designing of different products developed from local Gurezi sheep and suggested for further improvement, fine tuning, desired dimensions to develop more attractive products to earn good market and also desired for identification and preservation of local germplasm of niche crops to facilitate revival programme. 

 

The Director Extension in his remarks extended gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for converting support from ATARI, ICAR (GoI) Zone-I into reality while the building was completed in a specified time frame at a far-flung area of Gurez.

 

 He expressed his strong belief that the Kendra shall prove instrumental for the development in agriculture sector while Director Research desired for quality improvement and value addition to harness the available potential and offered his full support in R/E activities at Gurez. 

Dr. Hilal Ahmad Malik I/c Head KVK Gurez / MAR&ES Izmarg highlighted the activities and extended his sincere thanks to Hon’ble Vice-chancellor for blessing the Kendra with the good infra-structure coupled with Borewell, Custom-hiring centre, Hi-tech polyhouses etc.

 

On this occasion, an Extension folder entitled, “Promotion of High Value Vegetable crops to Enhance Nutritional Security And Income Generation in Gurez Valley” was also released by the Chief guest. Thereafter, the Vice-Chancelor also had a brief meeting with the Commanding officer, 20 Battalion, Rana , Izmarg (Gurez) to discuss the bilateral support for growth and development of Agriculture & Allied sectors in the area. At the end, the Vice-Chancellor appreciated Head and all scientists viz Dr. B.A. Zargar , Dr.N. A. Mir , Dr M. M. Magray and Dr Shahnawaz Ahamd for their sincere efforts and directed for more synergy with the Line Departments for overall growth and development of agriculture sector in Gurez valley.