JK Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar highlights need to promote climate-resilient crops and strengthen research to address challenges
Srinagar: Minister for Agriculture Production, Finance, Mining and Cooperative Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, addressed the 43rd Annual National Convention of the Indian Society of Mycology and Plant Pathology (ISMPP) at the University of Kashmir (KU) on Thursday.
The three-day convention, which began on October 29 and will conclude on October 31, is being held on the theme “Advances and Challenges in Plant Pathology under Climate-Resilient Agriculture.”
The convention is jointly organised by the Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, and ISMPP, in association with Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur.
In his presidential address, Javid Ahmad Dar said that several apple varieties once commonly grown in Kashmir a decade or two ago are no longer found in the Valley.
He attributed this change to evolving horticultural practices and stressed the need to identify and promote varieties and crops that are economically viable and resilient to changing climatic conditions.
He said changing weather patterns and increasing disease pressures pose serious challenges to agriculture and horticulture, sectors closely linked to livelihoods across Jammu and Kashmir. He called for research-driven interventions and practical measures to help growers adapt to these challenges, protect crop health and sustain production.
The Minister described the Government of Jammu and Kashmir’s Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) as a unique initiative with no parallel in the country. He emphasised that financial assistance and a robust support system are essential to make agriculture and horticulture more viable and sustainable for growers.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan, who was the Guest of Honour, said the theme was particularly relevant in the context of climate change, emerging plant diseases, declining soil health, food security and environmental sustainability. She highlighted the significance of these issues for Jammu and Kashmir, where apple, saffron, walnut and other high-value crops contribute substantially to the regional economy.
Dr K L Gurjar, Joint Director, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, and Prof S S Chahal, President, ISMPP, and former Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University and Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, also addressed the inaugural session.
Dr Pokhar Rawal, Secretary, ISMPP, spoke about the national convention. A souvenir was also released on the occasion.
During the inaugural session, Dr Suresh Panday was conferred the ISMPP Chahal Lifetime Achievement Award.
Prof Aijaz Ahmad Wani, Head of the Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, and Convener of the convention, delivered the welcome address.
The opening remarks were presented by Prof Mohd Yaqub Bhat of the Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, who is also the Organising Secretary of the event. Prof Abdul Hamid Wani of the Department of Botany is the Co-Convener.
