SRINAGAR: The UT-level Apex Committee for the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) convened today for a three-day midterm review (2023-2025) meeting at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir here.
The meeting aims to evaluate the progress of the Rs 5012 crore program and strategies for the remaining period.
The meeting was presided over by Chairman, Apex Committee, Dr Mangla Rai, renowned agriculture scientist and former DG ICAR.
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar and other committee members, including Dr PK Joshi, Secretary NAAS; Dr HS Gupta, former Director IARI; Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai; Vice Chancellor SKUAST-J, Dr BN Tripathi and Dr. JP Sharma, former VC SKUAST-J.
The meeting is also being attended by key stakeholders, including directors from various line departments, directors and deans from SKUAST-K, Principal Investigators (PIs) of the 29 HADP projects, and other senior officials from SKUAST-K.
In his remarks, Chairman Dr. Mangla Rai presented several suggestions to further enhance the program’s implementation and impact.
ACS, Shailendra Kumar, during the meeting, talked about the various initiatives taken by the APD. He said HADP is reaching out to people and uplifting farmers.
Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, while welcoming the apex committee members, gave an overview of the HADP and the meeting’s objectives.
Mission Director HADP, Sandeep Kumar, presented a comprehensive two-year progress report on the program’s initiatives before the committee.
The Apex Committee is the governing body of HADP responsible for overseeing the implementation of the program through comprehensive agricultural development strategies aimed at transforming the agricultural sector and improving the socio-economic conditions of farmers.
The committee will continue its deliberations over the next two days to ensure the successful achievement of all HADP goals.
Earlier in the day, the committee members led by Dr Mangla Rai, conducted a field visit to Ganderbal. They visited FPO Facilitation Centre for Aromatic Plants and Medicines at Nunar, as well as the Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K. The visit was aimed at assessing the progress and potential of these initiatives in promoting high-value agriculture and rural development.
