J&K will lead nation in agri-4 revolution: Union Minister
Srinagar, Mar 5: Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala expressed his confidence that Jammu and Kashmir would lead the nation in agri-4 revolution.
Addressing the 9th edition of the two-day annual technology exhibition cum seed sale Mela of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Rupala, who was chief guest on the occasion said, “J&K will lead the nation in agri-4 revolution.”
He inaugurated the mela along with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha at SKUAST-K’s Shalimar campus.
Praising the initiatives and the programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the union minister for giving a boost to the fisheries sector announced the establishment of a Trout Aqua Park at Sallar, Pahalgam, located on the banks of River Lidder where the J&K government has allotted 500 kanal land to SKUAST-K.
He praised SKUAST-K for taking a lead in student innovations.
“SKUAST-K has taken a lead in student innovations, especially those focusing on the development alternatives to chemical fertilisers and fungicides and insecticides,” Rupala said.
He inaugurated SKUAST-K Krishi Radio and a State of Art Silage Bailing Facility at the varsity.
The union minister also released the documentary on wildlife and launched the rural internship programme for students under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) of J&K.
Speaking on the occasion, the LG while praising SKUAST-K for its role in agricultural development in the region, assured full support to the crop insurance scheme and upliftment of tribal communities.
“Today, we celebrate the spirit of innovation and resilience that defines our agricultural landscape. This event serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, technology dissemination, and market linkages, empowering our farmers to embrace modern practices while preserving our age-old traditions,” he said.
LG Sinha thanked the union minister and the Centre for their support and cooperation in the development of agriculture and allied sectors of J&K.
During the event, the union minister and the LG had a lively interaction with innovators, officers, farmers, and pastoralists.
The mela featured SKUAST-K innovations, crop varieties, technologies, patents, and products with a special focus on the fisheries sector.
High-profile dignitaries from the union ministry, central and J&K government, academics, farmers, and school students visited the two-day event that had an approximate footfall of 3 lakh people.
A day-long pastoralist symposium was also held alongside the technology exhibition.
SKUAST-K Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai thanked the J&K government for the overall support and for allotting the land at Sallar that is most suitable for the Trout Aqua Park.
Secretary Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI, Alka Upadhyaya; Joint Secretary Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI, O P Chaudhary; and Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Department, J&K, Shailendra Kumar also spoke on the occasion.
