No headway in setting up of horticulture varsities

Vikram Sharma

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Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 17

The government’s initiative to establish separate horticulture universities for both Jammu and Kashmir regions on fast-track mode has hit a roadblock despite submission of a report by a high-level committee constituted to work out its modalities.

The committee, formed in February, was asked by the government to submit feasibility report along with financial implications involved in setting up universities in both the regions.

“After conducting a series of meetings and working on the modalities of the project, we submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the government nearly two weeks prior to fall of the coalition. We are not aware of what happened thereafter,” said Prof Farooq Ahmad Zaki, Dean, faculty of horticulture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Kashmir.

Prof Zaki is the expert member of the committee constituted for the establishment of horticulture universities in the state.

He said the horticulture sector was contributing Rs 8,000 crore towards state’s economy annually with about eight per cent contributions towards its gross domestic product (GDP).

“The state contributes to 70 per cent of apple production in the country, 92 per cent in walnuts, 91 per cent in almonds and systematic efforts are under way to further strengthen state’s position in the production of dry fruits,” said Zaki, adding that incorporation of two horticulture universities would widen the scope of activities being undertaken in the state.