AR Lone
Kupwara, Nov 2: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Co-operative and Elections, Mr. Javid Ahmed Dar, today visited Kulangam (Kupwara) and laid the foundation stone of Administrative cum laboratory Blocks of Centre for excellence, on walnut research.
This vital Project of SKUAST-K is being funded by NABARD and is being constructed with a project cost of Rs. 3.50 crore
Administrative cum lab blocks of Centre of excellence on walnut Research will act as a repository of germ plasma and scientific information centre for quality walnut production, high tech walnut processing and packaging centre for walnut growers, and serve as centre for training for human resource development and transfer of technology.
While addressing the faculty and farmers of the area, the Minister congratulated the SKUAST (K) for starting work on the centre for Excellence in Kupwara district which will prove highly beneficial for the people of North Kashmir. He urged SKUAST faculty to be more like farmers in the field than officers.
The Minister appreciated the role of SKUAST-K for its contributions in advancing agricultural research, education and rural development in the region, he said that the initiatives of SKUS-K have promoted agricultural innovations, supported farmer’s welfare, and boosted agriculture, horticulture and floriculture.
Minister added that through these initiatives SKUAST-K has established itself as a pivotal institution in advancing agriculture, benefiting g both farmers and the wider economy.
The Minister appreciated the district administration for allotting 200 kanals of land for the centre for excellence.
Vice chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmed Ganai in his address said that centre for excellence for walnut will focus on several key functions especially in the areas of agricultural innovation, research and knowledge dissemination, which will help improve productivity, economic sustainability, and overall growth of the walnut industry, though scientific and practical innovations.
He said that high quality walnut plant material, organized walnut orchards, medium sized plants, and mechanized post-harvest management technology will be transferred to farmers through this lab.
Earlier, Minster along with, MLA Langate, Khurshhed Ahmed Sheikh, vice-chancellor SKUAST-K , Prof Nazir Ahmed Ganai, Shri Bhalamudi Srindhar, Chief General manager NABARD, Prof Haroon Rashid Naik, Director Research, ADDC Kupwara, Gulzar Ahmed Bhat, ADC Handwara, Aziz Ahmed Rather, inspected the site plan of the project which will be having walnut processing unit, and labs for quality testing of walnut.
Minister also inspected the stalls and interacted with the farmers and SKUAST (K) faculty. Minister also interacted with farmers and listened to their grievances
