Mr. Azad tells students, “Today many students received degrees but unfortunately many among them would join the youth demonstrating outside the Secretariat and seeking absorption under Rehbar-e-Zerat for a meager sum of Rs 1500.” The real misfortune is that the concern regarding haphazard rezoning of farm land for housing and industrial use was not adequately highlighted
‘Shrinking agri-land a grave issue’
KT NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU: Governor Lt Gen S K Sinha and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad have described shrinking agricultural land in the state a grave issue and emphasized the need to go for research-oriented agri-practices to increase productivity.
While addressing to second convocation of SKUAST-J, Chief Minister, who is also the Pro- Chancellor of the varsity, maintained that in J&K, there is great scope for agriculture but unfortunately, the land-holdings here are almost negligible. “Almost 75 percent of the area comes under forests and hills. Even out of the available 25 percent land, the maximum land is being utilized for constructions. The land is shrinking as the population is increasing. Colleges, hospitals, buildings etc are being constructed on the agricultural land. Moreover J&K does not come under surplus food category states. The number of agricultural labourers is also on decline,” he stated.
Pointing towards the grave problem of unemployment in the state, Azad maintained, “Today many students received degrees but unfortunately many among them would join the youth demonstrating outside the Secretariat and seeking absorption under Rehbar-e- Zerat for a meager sum of Rs 1500. Reason being majority of them would prefer off-farming jobs as their career. So the emphasis should be to make agriculture a viable profession.”
Chief Minister impressed upon the agricultural scientists to come out with extensive research for tackling the problem of shrinking agriculture land leading to decline in food grain production all across the globe. He said the massive infrastructural development as well as improved living standards of people have resulted in encroachment over farm land leading to global food crises.
Expressing concern over the looming food grain crises, Azad said that Prime Minister has announced Rs. 5000 crore Food Security Mission and Rs. 25,000 crore Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana for focusing on bringing about a second Green Revolution. He said that optimum utilization of agricultural land, improved seeds, better water management and scientific farming are the key areas which the agriculture researcher should target.
He also called for diversification of agriculture as the state boasts of immense potential in horticulture and floriculture. Recalling the increase in suicide rates amongst farmers, Azad said that the agriculture universities should aim at transforming agriculture into an attractive and viable employment ventures. Chief Minister said that research should be linked with ground realities so that optimum yield from squeezed farm land can be achieved. Besides, youth should be channelized to agroeconomic viable ventures, he added.
Sinha, who is also the Chancellor of the SKUASTJammu, recalled the growth of the university from an embryonic state when he took over 5 years ago to a vibrant university fostering research and new advancement in agriculture and veterinary sciences. Repeating Malthus Principle “Population increases in geometric proportion while food production increases in arithmetic proportion’, he said that the mantle lies on the shoulders of our scientists to meet the increasing demand of food grains through concerted and dedicated research.
Sinha asked the scientists and graduates of the university to accept the challenge and come out with strategies for boosting farm produce through better crop management and agriculture practices. Earlier welcoming the President on her maiden visit to the state, the Chief Minister said that it is for the first time that any president of India has come to the state on a 5-day tour and traversed its different regions. He said that addressing the convocations of 3 prestigious universities of the state apart from inaugurating a campus of Jammu University at Bhaderwah is not a small feat and brings out her unparallel interest in the growth of higher education in the state. “This happened because our President is a woman,” Azad maintained.
He also appreciated the strenuous efforts of Chancellor and Governor for showing exceptional interest in capacity and skill building initiatives taken by different universities and organizing convocations regularly from time to time to inspire budding minds to strive for perfection in respective fields.The Chief Minister also congratulated noted economist Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia and President Veterinary Council of India, Dr. A.L Chowdhary for receiving Award of Doctorate of Science- Honoris Causa by chief guest stating that contribution in their respective fields is exemplary.
He specially appreciated the role of Montek Singh Ahluwalia who is an eminent economist occupying a key position in the Government of India as Deputy Chairman Planning Commission for liberal grants in favour of J&K state which have speeded the pace of infrastructural development of the state.
Earlier, the President awarded Doctorate of Science Honoris Causa to Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Government of India, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and President Veterinary council of India, Dr. A.L Chowdhary and to Secretary, DARE and Director General ICAR, Government of India, Dr Mangla Rai in absentia. Besides the gold medals and PhD degrees were also awarded to students of Agriculture and BVSc and Animal Husbandry. Vice Chancellor SKAUST-J, Nagendra Sharma presented the report of the university highlighting the programmes and infrastructure in advancement registered by the university.