Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan today inaugurated one day workshop on “Promotion of Organic Farming in Jammu and Kashmir: Exploring Prospects and Tapping Potential” organized by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu in collaboration with Directorate of Agriculture Production and Farmers’ Welfare.Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-J and patron of the workshop, Professor J P Sharma, was the guest of honour on the occasion.The objective of the workshop was to develop framework for promoting organic farming in the Union Territory.Speaking on the occasion, Farooq Khan, exhorted upon the scientists and officers of the department to develop a mechanism for inculcating organic culture among the farming community. He said that marketing and packaging along with certification of organic products have to be undertaken to facilitate promotion of organic farming. In this regard, the J&K Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department is contemplating opening of model showrooms in metro cities. He emphasized the role of three components of agricultural system including university, department and farmers.Advisor asked the scientists of the university to prioritize research based on farmer issues so as to raise their living standards.Professor Sharma complimented the Advisor for his active role and support towards growth and development of University.
He apprised him that the university is working in close coordination with the department for mapping different districts in order to revise organic map in the Union Territory. He stressed to promote slurry obtained from Bio Gas Plant as fertilizer.Professor Sharma said that though we are food surplus country but there is dire need to focus on nutritional security as large chunk of population is undernourished. He said that FPOs are going to play a major role in doubling farmer’s income as branding, marketing and promotion will also be part of their activity.Vice Chancellor said that the recommendations of this workshop will not be merely an academic exercise but a plan to be implemented on ground.Director Agriculture, Jammu, K. K. Sharma, informed that organic policy for J&K has already been drafted and will be rolled out soon. He hoped that this workshop shall be helpful for farmers and entrepreneurs to learn standards of organic farming from experts and scientists from across the country.Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, Padma Shri Awardee, also spoke on the occasion and discussed about the opportunities of organic farming and identified issues pertaining to FPOs. He expressed optimism that this workshop would prove to be a perfect platform to learn and earn from organic farming.During the technical session of the workshop, deliberations were held on practical experiences, certification and scientific interventions in organic farming.Expert lectures were delivered by Sunil Kandela, Vinod Mehta, Dr. Jag Paul Sharma and Dr. J. P. Saini.Among others workshop was attended by Dr. S. K. Gupta, Director Extension, Dr. S. E. H. Rizvi, Director Education and Dean, F.B.Sc., Rajesh Talwar, Comptroller and DPM, Dr. Bikram Singh, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. M. S. Bhadwal, Dean, F.V.Sc., R. P. Gupta, scientists, faculty, Director(s) of Development Department, District Officers, national and local farmers besides budding entrepreneurs in organic farming.