Farmers steered India to food surplus from food deficit nation: Guv



Mir TAriq
Bandipora, Jan 13: Complimenting agricultural scientists for enviable green revolution over the years, Governor Lt General (Retd) S K Sinha on Sunday called for advanced research for achieving optimum production of high yielding crops.
Inaugurating Krisihi Vigyan Kendra of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir at snow-clad Bandipora this morning, the Governor exhorted the scientists to ensure dissemination of their experiments at the ground level for the benefit of farming community as a whole. 'Extension agencies have a bounden duty to acquaint farmers with latest technology and methods of cultivation', he added. He recalled the strides made in the field of agriculture in the country and said that continuous and sustained research besides hard toil of millions of farmers steered India to food surplus from food deficit Nation. He referred to the Bengal famine and perishing of humans due to starvation. 'This is now a dark chapter of our history as we are moving ahead with a great deal of promise and hope', he said and enumerated the achievements in agriculture sector. This is an unparalleled success story which demonstrates the talent and vision of our scientists, he maintained. He added that the progress registered in agriculture and horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir over the years cannot be overlooked. In this context, he appreciated the role of SUKAST and hoped this odyssey will go on unabated. Sinha also expressed happiness over the involvement of women in economic activities and said their economic emancipation is imperative for the healthy growth of society. Women, he said, constitute a most vital segment of our society and their empowerment and role in decision making is of immense importance for the healthy growth of our social order. He said economic emancipation holds key to empowerment of women. The contribution of women to rural economy has been enormous. He stressed the need for multiple specializations in various disciplines, saying that research holds key to development and prosperity. The knowledge base has to be translated into reality on ground so that research percolates down to grass root level. Welcoming the Governor Prof Anwar Alam, Vice Chancellor, SUKASTK, dwelt on the initiatives and programmes taken in recent years for giving boost to agriculture and allied sectors. He said that the Krishi Vighyan Kendra will go a long way in intensifying the research work in this part of Kashmir. Ultimately, this will benefit the farming community immensely, he added. Director Extension Education, SUKAST, Prof G M Wani and other speakers discussed basic features of the newly inaugurated Kendra, which inter allia included identification of location specific to sustainable technology assessment and refinement, training of farmers, women and extension workers, live demonstration and vocational training to rural youth etc. Earlier, the Governor went through an exhibition of agricultural exhibits and was briefed about their productivity in the backdrop of research made in recent year. He also distributed sewing machines among local women as part of measures being taken for their empowerment. Senior faculty of SKUAST and students besides senior officers including DIG Baramulla-Bandipora Range, Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora and senior police and army officers were also present on the occasion.