Two day training programme on “Post Harvest Technology and Marketing Strategies for the Horticultural Produce” organized by Community College of Central University of Jammu at Temporary Academic Block (TAB), Sainik Colony, Jammu here today.

In the Inaugural session, Prof. Lokesh Verma, Academic Co-ordinator and Principal Community College, CUJ deliberated on the need and significance for skills in the area of post harvest technology and marketing strategies. Considering, the importance of horticulture in Jammu and Kashmir State, he motivated the participants for disseminating the information and knowledge with the farmers at the grassroot level. He informed the audience that Prof. Ashok Aima, Vice Chancellor has been instrumental in setting up the Community College at CUJ. Under the ambit of Community College, CUJ focuses on developing skills of the personnel for the better future he said. He further added that Post harvest technology deals with post handling, grading, packaging, storage, processing, value addition, marketing of horticulture crops which are an important aspect for development of horticulture in J&K. He congratulated the participants for their involvement in this process of nation building.

Earlier, Dr. Shaveta Kohli, Assisatnt Professor, Economics and Co-ordinator of the event briefed the participants about the two day programme. She informed that Prof Haroon R. Naik, SKUAST Kashmir , Dr. Parashant Bakshi, SKAUST Jammu, Vivek Shahi, Project Director Ag-Tech, Jammu, Dr. Gayatri Tandon, Sarveshwar Jammu, Dr. Anil from University of Jammu and in-house experts have been invited as resource persons for the programme. Emphasizing on the necessity of conducting these kinds of programmes in the present scenario, she said that the participants include Agriculture Marketing Officers, AGMOs, Grading and Marketing Inspectors from across Jammu Division are participating in the event. She further said that the present programme shall sensitize the participants about the latest marketing strategies and enable them to practice the same.

As horticulture is not only a source of employment generation but also helps in economic development, by earning foreign exchange as well she said that the training programme has been designed to cover all the important aspects. Prof. Haroon R. Naik, Dean SKUAST, Kashmir in his remarks stressed on developing innovative techniques for the post harvest management. Later Dr. Jaya Bhasin, member Board of Management, Community College proposed a formal vote of thanks. She emphasized on digital integration of horticulture for better dividends. She also reiterated the importance of developing marketing strategies for the better prices of the output. She informed that Nodal Officer Community College, Dr Shahid Mushtaq is actively engaged in organizing capacity building programmes for various organizations and departments under the aegis of Community College. Dr Shahid Mushtaq Co-ordinator of the programme informed that during the programme interventions shall be made not only to provide theoretical knowledge but also practical exposure shall be provided.

He said that in order to achieve the growth target of 8% of GDP, the agriculture has to grow by 4% and horticulture has to grow by more than 7%. Therefore, it is important for the state to train its manpower in post-harvest technology for value addition. This training programme he added has been organized in association with the Department of Horticulture, Marketing and Planning, Jammu to benefit the officers to understand the nuances of post harvest technology and marketing strategies to be adopted for better dividends.

He further informed that University Business Incubation Centre is also organizing two day National Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights w.e.f. 28th-29th March 2017 sponsored by M/O MSME, GOI. for which participation are invited from faculty members/local entrepreneurs/ representatives of local manufacturing units.