VC SKUAST Jammu highlights Research initiatives of Varsity

Jammu: Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu, Prof J P Sharma today highlighted the Research initiatives of the Varsity for the promotion of scientific and innovative farm practices & market linkages.
Addressing a media conference here today, he said the SKUAST-Jammu is committed to turn the fortunes of farmers in Jammu region through promotion of scientific and innovative farm practices & market linkages.
He listed achievements of the Varsity in all its mandates of teaching, research and extension, following SOPs of pandemic situation. He said the Agricultural Extension remains the principal priority of SKUAST-Jammu.
Listing some of recent activities of the University, he said that the package of practices for all the crops namely, kharif, rabi, vegetables, fruits, floriculture & Landscaping were revised and distributed to respective state departments.
“Another initiative taken by the University is establishment of integrated farming system model of 0.5 hectare at each KVK which is expected to fetch income of Rs. 1,50,000/- per annum, which is four times more than the income presently earned by farmers from agriculture in Jammu,” he added.
He said 27 veterinary clinical camps were organized in different villages namely Maralia, Chanduchak, Bega, Mellowal, Suchetgarh, Panchgrain, Abdulliah, Sunjwan, Chowadhi, Doongia, Brijnagar,Sandhi, Samba, KhadaMadana, Sumbli, Babli, Sangliani&Jabri (Poonch) etc. and about 1121 farmers were benefited so far. Currently characterization and preservation of bio-diverse animal genetic resources of the region including Bhakarwali Goat/ Poonchi sheep and Poonchi Chicken have been carried out. Quality improvement of livestock products with their value addition; Identification of livestock diseases through molecular techniques, identification of zoonotic agents, developing and designing feeding regimen inclusive of non-conventional locally available feeds
The University has established an ‘Agribusiness Incubation Centre’ under RKVY-RAFTAAR project and implemented Agri Business Incubator Scheme having UDGAM (Pre-Seed Stage Funding) and PRAGATI (Seed Stage Funding), he added.
As far as the research achievements are concerned, he said fifteen externally funded projects amounting to Rs.248.79 lakhs have been approved in 2020. Organic farming policy document for J&K has also been prepared. He said newly developed basmati varieties such as Basmati 118, Basmati 123 and Basmati 138 will revive the world famous Basmati of Jammu region. Development of JAUW-672 suitable for restricted irrigation, JAUW-691 and JAUW-694 for timely sown condition irrigated conditions, Jammu Mustard JM-13-5, JGS 12-3 are under final stage of testing and release.
University has already standardized its technology on hydroponics and vertical farming and the same is being demonstrated at KVKs and farmers’ fields. Soil erosion maps for representative micro-watersheds in foothill Shivaliks have been generated, he informed further.