Jammu, March 4 (Scoop News) – Flagging agriculture as Centre Pillar in the State’s economic growth and development, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Friday underscored the importance of this and allied sectors as pivotal in employment generation.
Addressing the 3rd Convocation of Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Jammu at Zorawar Auditorium in Jammu the Chief Minister who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the University laid stress on connecting traditional wisdom in agriculture to modern techniques and farm practices.
“We need to encourage farmers to diversify into floriculture, dry land horticulture and cultivation of aloe-vera and other cash crops”, he said underlining the importance of timely supply of agriculture inputs to the farmers to help increase farm production and productivity.
The Chief Minister said that focused attention is required for on-farm storage, processing and marketing of agricultural produce adding that these aspects call for a massive extension effort.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh for attending the convocation to deliver convocation address, the Chief Minister said that the presence of Prime Minister has brought grace to the occasion and acted as source of inspiration to all of us.
“The people and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir have all along been, and shall remain grateful to you for your keen and personal interest in our welfare and for your generous and timely help, on each and every occasion, when we needed it”, he told the Prime Minister adding that the State is particularly grateful to him for Saffron Mission announced for the Valley.
“We all in the State are now looking for a special intervention from the Centre Government to give necessary push to production and marketing of world famous Basmati rice grown in the border areas of Jammu district”, he added.
Congratulating the passing out graduates for receiving degrees, the Chief Minister extended his greetings to all the parents and the teachers of the graduating students saying, “you must truly be proud of the potential and the promise that the young students hold for the future”. He said convocation, in any academic institutions is a major milestone symbolizing the achievement of a goal even as it also marks the beginning of a new journey.
“From here, you will now move on to a big outside world; full of challenges and opportunities”, he told the passing out students wishing them courage to stand the test of times. “Always remember, we make a living by what we earn; but we make a life by what we contribute”, he said hoping that the passing out graduates would be the vehicles of change, ensuring transfer of knowledge and technology at the farm level which in turn will help to bring in the necessary transformation in the lives of tens of thousands of farming households.
“So friends, make the best use of your time and opportunities that come your way. As you progress in your practical life, never forget the debt you owe to your alma-mater, and try pay it off as quickly and as best you can”, he told them.
The Chief Minister also administered oath to 332 passing out graduates and distributed certificates of merit to the meritorious degree holders.
Governor, N. N. Vohra who is also Chancellor of the University also spoke on the occasion while Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh delivered the Convocation address.
Secretary of Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was conferred degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.
As many as 23 students received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 81 degree of Master of Science in Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, 47 degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and 181 were presented degree of Bachelor of Veterinary of Science while 6 passing out graduates received the Gold Medals and 61 certificates of merit on the occasion.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. B. Mishra presented the Vice Chancellor’s report enumerating various academic activities of the University.
Present on the occasion were Union Minister for Health, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mohammad Akbar Lone, State Agriculture Minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir, members of State Council of Ministers, Deputy Chairman Legislative Council, Advisors to the Chief Minister, Parliament Member, Legislators, Vice Chancellor of various Universities of the State, senior officers including Chief Secretary and Director General of Police besides Members of University Council, Board of Management and Academic Council, faculty members and students.
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