SHOPIAN, AUGUST 01: The 14th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting of KVK Shopian and the 20th SAC Meeting of KVK Kulgam were held today at the Conference Hall of KVK Shopian under the chairmanship of Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir.
Adv. Shabir Ahmad Kullay, MLA, Shopian, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension, SKUAST-Kashmir, was the Guest of Honour.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Najeeb-ur-Rehman Sofi, Associate Director Research, MRCFC Khudwani; Head, Research Station Sallar; Programme Coordinators of KVKs of the Kashmir Division; officers from the Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, and Sheep Husbandry Departments; scientists from KVK Shopian, KVK Kulgam, and AARC Pahnoo; along with progressive and champion farmers from the districts of Shopian and Kulgam.
Addressing the gathering, Adv. Shabir Ahmad Kullay commended the farmer-centric initiatives of both KVKs and assured continued support for agricultural development.
Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai lauded the outstanding work of KVK Shopian and KVK Kulgam in improving farmers’ livelihoods and emphasized the promotion of Integrated Farming Systems (IFS), value addition, agri-entrepreneurship, and market-oriented farming for sustainable agricultural growth.
At the outset, Welcoming the participants, Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth highlighted the importance of SAC meetings in strengthening research-extension-farmer linkages.
She also congratulated KVK Shopian on the release of its bulletin (Success Story), 3rd Newsletter, and extension folders, appreciating the scientific staff for effectively disseminating university technologies to farmers.
Dr. Zaffar Afroz Badri, Head, KVK Shopian, and the Head, KVK Kulgam, presented the Annual Progress Reports (2025–26) and Annual Action Plans (2026–27), showcasing achievements in technology dissemination, farmer capacity building, and sustainable agriculture.
Representatives of the line departments appreciated the initiatives of both KVKs and emphasized greater convergence, while progressive farmers shared positive feedback on the impact of KVK interventions on farm productivity and income.
The meeting concluded with an interactive discussion and valuable recommendations from scientists, departmental officers, and farmers.
