Srinagar, June 30: Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, on Monday chaired the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meetings of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) Srinagar and Budgam, reviewing progress, achievements, and future strategies aimed at strengthening agricultural extension, innovation, and sustainable farming across Kashmir.
The meetings were attended by Director Extension Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth; Registrar Prof. Azmat Alam Khan; Additional Deputy Commissioner Budgam Vivek Agarwal; Chief Planning Officer Budgam Javid Ahmad; heads of KVKs; statutory members; scientists from the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH) and Dryland Agricultural Research Station (DARS) Budgam; officers from agriculture and allied departments; progressive farmers; agri-entrepreneurs; representatives of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and civil society organisations; and other distinguished stakeholders.
Detailed presentations were delivered by Dr. Shamim Ahmad Simnani, Head, KVK Srinagar, at the 22nd Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting and by Prof. Bilal Ahmad Lone, Head, KVK Budgam, at the 13th SAC. They reviewed the action-taken reports and key achievements of 2025–26 while outlining priorities and action plans for 2026–27.
The deliberations focused on technology assessment and refinement, frontline demonstrations, capacity building, entrepreneurship development, and the wider dissemination of climate-resilient agricultural technologies. Discussions also highlighted district-specific opportunities such as urban agriculture, Dal vegetable cultivation, niche crop promotion, and natural farming to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance farmers’ incomes.
Addressing the meetings, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai stressed the need to promote innovation-driven agriculture, strengthen entrepreneurship, and encourage value addition, processing, and market-oriented farming practices to improve rural livelihoods. He appreciated the efforts of both KVK Srinagar and KVK Budgam in expanding doorstep extension services, promoting improved agricultural technologies, and creating meaningful impact through skill development and farmer-centric capacity-building initiatives.
Prof. Ganai also emphasized the critical role of KVKs in making the university’s flagship Students Rural Exposure Programme a success, stating that the programme offers students invaluable field-level understanding of rural agricultural realities. He expressed confidence in continued support and cooperation from the KVKs in further strengthening this important initiative.
Director Extension Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth lauded the significant contribution of both KVKs in technology dissemination and strengthening sustainable agricultural practices. She emphasized the need to transform traditional farming into a commercially viable enterprise through targeted skill development, champion farmer models, low-cost organic solutions, and focused capacity-building programmes.
Earlier, several facilities at KVK Budgam—including a high-density cherry orchard, a custom hiring centre, two hi-tech polyhouses, an insulated mushroom unit, and a bio-resource centre for natural farmingwere inaugurated. On the occasion, publications from both KVKs were also released.
The meetings concluded with interactive sessions in which stakeholders discussed key challenges, emerging opportunities, and collaborative strategies to accelerate agricultural transformation and improve farm livelihoods across Kashmir.