Shopian- Krishi Vigyan Kendras of South Kashmir viz. Shopian, Pulwama, Anantnag and Kulgam organised a Mega Fruit/ Kissan Mela as a part of back to village programme of Govt. of J&K (UT) at old fruit mandi Arhama Shopian.
The Mela was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K in presence of District Development Commissioner Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Director Extension SKUAST-K Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi and Director Horticulture Kashmir, Gh Rasool Mir. Other officers of the university and district development departments and public representatives DDC Member Raja Waheed, President Pesticide dealers association and President Fruit growers association of district Shopian wer also present on the occasion.
The main activities conducted in the Mela included Fruit Show, Technology Exhibition, Method Demonstration, Farmer Scientist Interaction, Apple FPO start-up, Machinary Mela etc. More than Fifty stalls were installed by KVKs of south Kashmir, AARC Pahnoo Shopian, Agriculture & Allied departments of South Kashmir, Agri-input companies, NGOs, FPOs, SHGs, Champion Farmers and Entrepreneurs etc. Thousands of farmers participated in the Mela which included progressive farmers, officials of the line departments etc.
In the interaction part of Mela, Director Extension SKUAST-K, Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi welcomed the dignitaries and participants and briefed the audience about the importance of this Fruit/Kissan Mela for widening the mental horizons of all the stake holders like; farmers, rural youth, entrepreneurs and students. He stressed about importance of mela, regulation of market flow, utilization of funds under Agriculture infra structure fund. Four progressive farmers highlighted the problems being faced by the farming community. The marketing issue in Apple was the main concern highlighted by them. District Development commissioner.
Sachin Kumar Vaishya congratulated SKUAST-K for organising this mega event in Shopian for the benefit of all the stake holders. Moreover he stressed upon strengthening the liaison of farmers with KVKs of the district. Director Research SKUAST-K, Prof. Sarfaraz Ahmad Wani emphasised on the importance of technology dissemination to farmers in order to achieve the targets of production and quality at grass roots level. DDC Member Raja Waheed highlighted the marketing issues being faced by the farming community. Director Horticulture Kashmir, Ghulam Rasool Mir thanked SKUAST-K for organising a much needed fruit mela in Apple town Shopian. Further he highlighted the efforts being carried out by the horticulture department in solving the problems of farming community and noted the issues being raised by the farmers. Chief Guest of the event, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai released book on formation of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and elaborated the need of organising Melas at district levels. Further he gave impetus on smart agriculture for efficient regulation of market. The need of value addition for fetching higher returns and focus on e marketing and branding of agriculture produce.
The function was ended with the vote of thanks by Dr. Javeed Ahmad Mugloo Prof. & Head KVK Pulwama. The whole programme was moderated by Sr. Scientist & Head KVK Shopian, Dr. Zaffar Afroz Badri.
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