Shimlaशिमला   No. 1192/2016-Pub 1st December 2016

Scientists should identify gaps in research and extension activities: CM

Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh  inaugurating   parking and a terrace garden at  Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni  in Solan district  on 1 Dec 2016

        Announces one crore for Muscular Dystrophy Centre at Solan

Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni has emerged as a major centre of research and innovative techniques in both agriculture and horticulture sectors and was contributing in added income of the farmers by introducing new technology. However, there should be a critical evaluation of research and extension activities and priority should be given to  identify gaps in research and development, said Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while presiding over 32nd foundation day of the University.

 He said that it was necessary to learn new techniques in research and extension from other countries as America, Sweden, New-zealand and few countries of Europe, which were known for its agro-economy. A plan was required for practising the renewal techniques of the orchards and the replacement of new plants with the old ones, he said adding that  the scientists should after achieving training in renewal technique   disseminate the technology to farmers so that the productivity of fruits and vegetables could be enhanced.

The marketing concept needed to be digital,  said the Chief Minister adding that all the marketing yards would be made online in the State at the earliest and the government would also promote opening of cold stores both in public-private sectors. He said that Government of India had also selected few sites in the State for setting up cold stores for fruits and vegetables. 

The Chief Minister said that the farmers can learn new techniques from online concept, the latest rates of the market and the right time to sell their produce. He said that more practical demonstrations and more seminars were required to be conducted where deliberations and research could be discussed with the farmers and new technology introduced and taken to the farms. 

He said that the government was considering to increase the water intake capacity for the University and the Irrigation and Public Health department would be directed to take necessary measures for lifting water to facilitate the university and so as to overcome the problem. 

He said that this was the first of its type university dealing both in horticulture and forestry and every possible assistance would be provided to the it.

Shri Virbhadra Singh said earlier annually 85000 tress were marked for packaging of apples in State and was the time when he imposed complete ban on felling trees. Though this was a difficult measure, but the corrugated boxes for packing at last were accepted by the people. He said the decision for ban on axing trees was opposed by many like saw mills, which were set up in jungles were also ordered to be removed from there to protect axing of around one lakh trees annually. Though along with the passage of time, and support from few people, government was able to save the forests and today green cover had increased in the State.

The solar fencing as designed by the university for keeping wild animals and monkeys away from farms was highly appreciable, he said, adding that for the very reason, the efforts in this direction would go a long way in protecting the fruits and crops from wild animals and monkeys.

He said that one can kill the monkeys at places where they were declared vermin. The government in the budget had announced for solar or electric fencing of the fields where the concentration of wild animals and monkeys was high. However, the current effect would be not too much, but reasonable enough to scare the wild animals. He also expressed his concern over vanishing of House  sparrows (Gorraiya) and said that they could only be seen in few places as the Rays from mobile towers was responsible for it. We should protect the animals, but if some wild animal or monkeys poses problems of sorts or destroy the fields, it becomes the duty of the government as well as the people to find out ways to get rid of them.

We ourselves were responsible for migration of animals from jungles towards town and cities, he said adding that more temperate fruit trees should be planted in jungles so that the animals could find a safe home to stay and food for themselves.

 He said over the years, horticulture had become one of the potential enterprises in accelerating the growth of farming sector and the role of Horticulture and Forestry on food and nutritional security, poverty alleviation, employment generation and conservation of the environment was becoming increasingly important by the day. However, we need a perfect marketing strategy, a well planned strategy to market the produce, he said. 

The Chief Minister said that with the changing scenario in agriculture and horticulture sectors the demand for organic products had increased. We should encourage the farmers to adopt organic farming on large scale, he said.  

He also released an e-magazine and calendar and honoured the scientists and the progressive farmers on the occasion.

He also dedicated Rs 1.71 crore parking and a terrace garden and Rs. 2.40 crore hostel building for girls in the University campus. The Chief Minister also inaugurated an exhibition set up on the occasion and offered floral tributes to late Dr. YS. Parmar. 

Irrigation and Public Health Minister Smt. Vidya Stokes appreciated the untiring efforts of the University in research and extension activities but till a lot was required to be done to increase the productivity as compared to Europe and America. 

Forest Minister, Shri Thakur Singh Bharmauri exhorted for finding solution to Lantana, the obnoxious weed in different parts of the State and said that seventy percent of reservation had been done by the government for students of Himachal to seek admission in this University. He also urged for making Himachal Green and Clean. 

 

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil thanked the Chief Minister for a sum of rupees one crore for muscular dystrophy centre, Solan. 

Vice Chancellor of the University Dr. H.C. Sharma briefed about the activities and the research work and the extension activities undertaken by the university.

Earlier, he dedicated an ambulance donated by State Bank of India to Indian Association of Muscular Dystrophy (IAMD) to its Centre at Solan where Chairperson of IAMD, Ms. Sanjana Goel and Member of the Association Smt. Uma Baldi along with other members welcomed the Chief Minister and other dignitaries. DGM,  SBI,  Shri PK.  Mishra handed over the keys of the vehicle to Ms. Sanjana Goel.

The Chief Minister also gave his message on the occasion and announced a grant of rupees one crore for the centre and all possible help to the centre.

The Ministers remembered the first Chief Minister late Dr. YS. Parmar and said that the University was a dream project and farsightedness of Dr. Parmar for well being of farmers and horticulturalists.  They also urged for enhancement of grant to university. 

District President, Congress Committee, Shri Rahul Thakur, Member, State Pollution Control Board, Shri Arvind Gupta, Member BoD, HPTDC Shri Surinder Sethi, Chairman APMC, Solan, Shri Ramesh Thakur, Former Vice-Chancellors, Shri Vijay Thakur and Shri Tej Pratap Singh were also present on the occasion amongst others. 

 

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