Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Visits SKUAST-K Horticulture Gardens; Holds Stakeholder Meeting on Agriculture and Allied Sectors

Srinagar, July 4: Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) as part of his two-day tour to Jammu & Kashmir. During the visit, he reviewed horticulture innovations and held an extensive stakeholder meeting focused on enhancing the region’s agricultural potential.

At SKUAST-K’s Shalimar campus, the Minister observed cutting-edge developments in horticulture, including early-fruiting apple varieties, hail-protection systems, scientific pruning, and smart water-nutrient management. He interacted with farmers who shared success stories of increased yields and improved incomes. Students also showcased horticultural produce and post-harvest solutions like long-term cold storage.

In a subsequent stakeholder meeting, Chouhan engaged with growers, beekeepers, cold storage operators, and nursery owners. Key issues raised included the need for irrigation in saffron fields, pesticide regulation to protect bees, insurance schemes, affordable input access, cold chain subsidies, and improved logistics.

Acknowledging these concerns, the Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to agriculture as the backbone of the Indian economy. He assured direct field-level engagement by ICAR scientists and announced plans for Clean Plant Centres to provide disease-free planting material. Subsidies for private nurseries and enhanced agro-processing infrastructure through HADPL were also discussed.

Shri Chouhan outlined a vision to transform J&K into a horticulture powerhouse through competitive import duties, improved exports, and logistics upgrades like railway support. He pledged stringent action against substandard pesticide suppliers and fair pricing mechanisms to empower farmers.

Calling his outreach “seva,” the Minister said, “From seed to shelf, the government stands with our farmers.” The visit underscored the Centre’s focused approach to inclusive agricultural growth, farmer welfare, and sustainable development in Jammu & Kashmir.