GANDERBAL: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar today presided over the valedictory session of Livestock Show–2025 (Pashudhan Mela) at SKUAST-K, Shuhama here.
The event was jointly organized by SKUAST-Kashmir and J&K Dairy Farmers Association.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Javid Dar highlighted the critical role of agriculture and allied sectors in driving socio-economic development, especially for rural communities whose livelihoods depend on them. He underlined the importance of infrastructure development, access to finance, technological adoption, capacity building, and market linkages to ensure sustainable growth and prosperity for farmers.
The Minister emphasized that the improvement of farmers livelihoods and the overall economic development of rural communities require collective participation of the government, private sector, research institutions, and civil society.
Urging farmers to adopt integrated farming systems, he stated that combining crops, livestock, and other enterprises can greatly enhance productivity, profitability, and ecological balance. Such an approach, he said, not only reduces risks but also ensures sustainable and resilient farming systems.
Minister Dar directed the Heads of Departments (HoDs) of SKUAST-Kashmir to orient their research and extension programmes towards tangible benefits for farmers rather than confining their work to laboratories. He stressed that research should be farmer-centric and aligned with field realities, while extension services must effectively disseminate innovations and technologies to the grassroots level.
Earlier, the Minister inspected various stalls at the Mela, interacting with exhibitors and farmers to understand the impact of their initiatives on livestock development. He also distributed awards and certificates among the participants who excelled in different categories during the livestock show, appreciating their dedication and achievements in animal husbandry and livestock management.
Pertinently, the objective of the fair was to promote and showcase the achievements and innovations across agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and allied sectors. The exhibition served as a platform for farmers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders to exchange knowledge and explore emerging technologies and best practices. It also featured displays of modern equipment and techniques used in farming, fishing, livestock management, and animal health care.
Dean faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Shakeel Ahmad Mir; Director Extension, Dr. Raihana Habib Kanth; Registrar, Professor Azmat Alam Khan; Director Strategies Planning , Dr Haroon Rashid Naik; Director Sheep Husbandry Kashmir, Dr. Rafiq Ahmad Shah; other district officers and members of farming community were present on the occasion.
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