Jammu: Vice Chancellor SKUAST-J, Dr. J. P. Sharma, Tuesday visited Advance Centre for Horticulture Research, Udheywaala to ascertain the progress of Centre of Excellence, Tissue Culture Lab and Bio control Unit.
He was accompanied by Dr. Jag Paul Sharma, Dean Faculty of Agriculture and Coordinator ACHR, and Dr. Bharat Bhushan, Joint registrar and Dr Vikas Tandon PI CoE.
During the visit, Prof J P Sharma took stock of the development work and directed representative of Jain Irrigation for development of plantations in scientific manner and maintaining the area scenically so that farmers and visitors must feel good on their visit to the place. He also instructed them to start the work on protected structures to generate the planting material for the growers at an earliest.
Dr Jag Paul Sharma, Coordinator ACHR, briefed the Vice Chancellor about various activities being undertaken at the centre. He briefed that the centre will be the focus of attraction for horticulture farmers of the Jammu division. Dr. Vikas Tandon, PI Centre of Excellence gave a detailed presentation of the progress made in last few months and also appraised the Vice Chancellor regarding establishment of new plantation blocks of Mango, Citrus and Guava where at present 1100 plants of best varieties have been planted. Professor J P Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu also visited the Tissue culture Laboratory where Dr. Sheetal Dogra and Dr. Susheel Sharma PI’s, briefed them about the protocols being standardized for strawberry plant regeneration.
Professor Sharma suggested for exploring the possibility of Public-Private partnership to commercially run this unit. Dr. Vishal Gupta, explained various activities of Bio Control laboratory and Dr. Pradeep Rai briefed about Biofertilisers being produced and being supplied to Growers.
Dr. Prashant Bakshi and Dr. Akash Sharma, Co-PI’s of the project accompanied the Vice Chancellor to the protected structures being constructed at the site. Prof J P Sharma directed to have regular review of the project and instructed representative of Jain Irrigation to invite their experts for presentation at and earliest.
