Concluding ten years of operation in the District, since its inception in 2013, Krishi Vigyan Kendra - Budgam, convened its 11^th Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting today. The meeting was chaired by Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Nazir Ahmad Ganai and Co-Chaired by Worthy Director Extension, Prof. (Dr.) Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi. Officials of the Line Departments, KVKs, NABARD and Scientists and Technical staff of KVKs, Champion Farmers and FPO members were also present at the meet. Dr. Khurshid A. Zargar, presented a welcome address to the gathering. Senior Scientist and Head, Dr. Bilal A. Lone, presented the Action Taken Report, Annual Progress Report (2023-2024) and Action Plan (2024-2025) with the audience.

Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Dr.) Nazir Ahmad Ganai, inaugurated the Custom Hiring Centre (CHC), established at the Kendra under Farm Mechanisation and Automation (HADP) alongwith other officials. CHC will provide easy access to farmers to farm machinery like seed cum fertiliser drill, Dewatering Pump, Chaff Cutter, Weeder cum Reaper, Multi-Crop Thresher, Power Tiller, Maize Sheller, Mist Sprayer, Tractor alongwith Cultivator and Rotavator, Potato Digger, Seed Grader etc.

At the floor of the meeting, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, released the 5^th Volume of Newsletter of KVK Budgam alongwith with a Booklet on Training and Pruning in High Density Apple Orchards. Prof. Ganai, appreciated the efforts of the Kendra in upliftment of farming community in close co-ordination with Line Department. Interacting with the progressive farmers, Vice Chancellor lauded their efforts in changing the face of agriculture in the District through improved use of technology. Appreciating the commendable work of KVKs in capacity building of three FPOs in the District, Prof. Ganai, impressed upon the need to replicate successful National Co-operative Models like Amul, to ensure holistic development of the Khag Kissan Farmers Co-operative Ltd (NABARD).

Director Extension, Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, in his address reaffirmed his commitment to upliftment of farmers in the District through facilitation of Sale Space/Centre at District level by taking up the matter with District Administration. He urged the farmers to be forthcoming in seeking scientific advice from KVKs to augment their sales to usher in prosperity to farmers households. He congratulated Head, KVK Budgam and his team for striving relentlessly for upliftment of farming community with sincerity and dedication.

The programme concluded with a comprehensive interaction cum feedback session, in which various recommendations were suggested by SAC members for benefit of farming community.