JAMMU: Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Professor, J.P. Sharma, hoisted the national flag at Main Campus, Chatha on the occasion of 74th Independence Day.
The national event started with the garlanding portrait of Father of Nation – Mahatma Gandhi, followed by the National Anthem.
In his address, the VC appreciated and complemented Agricultural Scientist, farmers and other associated workers who worked tirelessly at the time of COVID-19 pandemic towards achieving Atma Nirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India).
He also desired to adopt agriculture centric global vision with localized action. He lauded the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras towards achieving self-sufficiency in food production and skill development since this agency works at district level for the uplift of the farmers, farm women and rural youth. He appraised that the agriculture sector contributes 17 per cent in the country’s GDP, 45 per cent population getting direct employment from the farm sector. He said Rs One lakh Crore Agriculture infrastructure fund allocated by the Prime Minister of India will empower the farm sector and help doubling farmers’ income by 2022 will be a reality. He further stressed that the country has achieved sufficiency in food production, but processing, value addition, marketing and branding is equally important to raise percent share in GDP. It will help to explore the huge potential of providing employment to a large chunk of unemployed rural youth of the country, he added.
He informed the gathering that government of J& K has asked SKUAST-Jammu to prepare a vision document on doubling farmers’ income. Besides, Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi has also given responsibility to SKUAST-Jammu to prepare a road map for the holistic development of Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. He urged the scientists to explore viable areas of diversification, input use efficiency, value addition, artificial intelligence, nano-technology, entrepreneurship development and startups in agriculture for the holistic development of this sector.
On the occasion, Prof Sharma thanked The Metropolitan Asian Family Services for providing Pramod Kumar Student Scholarship Fund worth Rupees Ten Lakh to the students of SKUAST-Jammu. There was also a remembrance in honor of those who sacrificed their lives to fulfill the dream of making an independent and developed India.
The programme was attended by Directors, Deans of various faculties, Heads of departments/KVK’s/Research Station, Officers, Officials, Teaching and non-teaching staff of SKUAST-Jammu following COVID-19 SOPs. A small cultural programme was also arranged by the kids of different staff members of the university on the occasion.
