SRINAGAR, FEB 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday attended the live streaming of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address from Bhagalpur, Bihar, marking the release of the 19th installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K), Shalimar Campus, on Saturday.
As per the statement issued to The Newsroom 24 – Awaz, the event witnessed the participation of Minister for Agriculture Production Javaid Ahmad Dar, Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from Hazratbal, Sonawar, and Chanapora constituencies, along with progressive, marginal, and small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs from across the district. Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Shalender Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Science & Technology Saurabh Bhagat, and other senior officials were also present.
Addressing the gathering, CM Omar Abdullah praised the innovative farmers recognized during the event, highlighting their efforts in natural and organic farming. “Their contributions in adopting progressive techniques will be instrumental in transforming the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. He reiterated the government’s commitment to building a farmer-friendly ecosystem that supports agricultural sustainability and long-term growth.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Agri-Tech Exhibition organized by SKUAST-K, which featured over 100 stalls showcasing agricultural innovations and farmer welfare initiatives. Exhibits highlighted welfare schemes, advanced agricultural inputs, farm machinery, organic products, and Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged items unique to the region.
During his visit, Omar Abdullah also interacted with agripreneurs, agri-industrialists, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and university-led start-ups, lauding their contributions to agricultural innovation. “These platforms provide farmers with access to reliable, updated, and practical information, empowering them to adopt modern and sustainable farming practices,” he noted.
The exhibition also included live demonstrations of advanced farming technologies aimed at equipping farmers with modern tools to enhance productivity and promote sustainable agriculture in the region.
