SRINAGAR, Feb 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah participated in the live streaming of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address from Bhagalpur, Bihar, which marked the rollout of the 19th installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. The event took place at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), located at the Shalimar Campus. As the Chief Guest, the Chief Minister engaged with attendees that included the Minister for Agriculture Production, Javaid Ahmad Dar; Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from Hazratbal, Sonawar, and Chanapora; along with progressive, marginal, and small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs from across the district.
Also present were Vice Chancellor of SKUAST-K, Nazir Ahmad Ganai; Principal Secretary of Agriculture Production, Shalender Kumar; Commissioner Secretary of Science & Technology, Saurabh Bhagat; and other senior officials.
During his address, the Chief Minister praised the innovative farmers acknowledged at the event, asserting, “Their adoption of progressive techniques, especially in natural and organic farming, will play a pivotal role in reshaping the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.” He reiterated the government’s dedication to fostering a farmer-friendly environment that encourages agricultural sustainability and long-term development.
Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the Agri-Tech Exhibition organized by SKUAST-K, showcasing an impressive range of stalls presented by successful farmers, forward-thinking cultivators, agripreneurs, agri-industrialists, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and various initiatives spearheaded by the university.
While reviewing over 100 stalls, the Chief Minister took note of displays that highlighted farmers’ welfare schemes, innovative agricultural inputs, farm machinery, and organic products. He also visited start-ups led by students and faculty of SKUAST-K, commending their contributions to agricultural innovation.
Engaging with agripreneurs, agri-industrialists, and FPOs, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stressed the significance of such exhibitions, stating, “These platforms offer farmers access to reliable, up-to-date, and practical information, empowering them to embrace modern and sustainable farming practices.” He received updates on key exhibits that focused on natural and organic farming and Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products particular to the region. The exhibition included live demonstrations of advanced farming technologies designed to equip farmers with modern tools and methods for enhancing productivity and sustainability.
