SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir held the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Srinagar for the year 2025-26 today.
Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, who chaired the meeting at KVK office Nadergund Peerbagh, highlight the launch of the Students’ Rural Exploration Programme (SREP). He said the initiative will engage students from various agricultural and allied disciplines with approximately 400 village panchayats to collect real-time data on local challenges and opportunities. The aim is to generate data for evidence-driven policies and need-based interventions at the grassroots level, he said.
Prof Ganai urged participants to ensure the SREP’s effective execution through field-level engagement.
The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised the importance of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and the JKCIP in providing financial support and strategic direction to boost farmers’ income.
During the event, Prof Ganai inaugurated new facilities, including a NABARD-funded Farmer Facilitation Centre and a Hi-Tech Polyhouse, and inspected a stall showcasing technological interventions, products, and niche crops developed by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and progressive farmers.
Dr SA Simnani, Head KVK, presented the Action Taken Report for 2024-25 and the Annual Action Plan for 2025-26. Statutory members from line departments, including Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry, along with farmers, FPOs, and civil society representatives, provided valuable inputs for the plan’s refinement.
The meeting concluded with the Director Extension, Prof. Raihana Habib, acknowledging the KVK Srinagar’s efforts in strengthening the connection between the research system and farmers’ fields.
The meeting saw participation from statutory officers, district heads, progressive farmers, SHGs, FPOs, civil society representatives, agri-preneurs, public representatives and KVK Heads of Kashmir division.
