22/09/2026
๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก: ๐๐๐๐๐๐-๐, ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ๐ข ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐ซ
Shalimar, September 22: The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, in collaboration with the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and Kheti Virasat Mission (KVM), organised a National Seminar on โMillets for One Health: Building Healthy Ecosystems, Climate-Resilient Agriculture & Sustainable Food Systemsโ at the Shalimar Convention Centre.
The seminar brought together 755 participants, including around 350 farmers and FPO members from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir, besides scientists, medical professionals, faculty, students, entrepreneurs and policymakers. The deliberations covered the role of millets in food systems, climate-resilient agriculture, food safety, ecological farming and livelihoods.
Padma Shri awardee Dr. Khader Vali, popularly known as the โMillet Man of Indiaโ, was the Chief Guest. He highlighted the nutritional and ecological significance of traditional grains and stressed the need to increase awareness and consumption of millet-based diets.
Addressing the gathering, Honorable Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ganai highlighted the Universityโs approach of linking research, education, extension and entrepreneurship to address emerging challenges. He also outlined SKUAST-K initiatives in One Health, natural and organic farming, herbal resources and sustainable agriculture, including efforts towards a Centre of Excellence on One Health and herbs. He called for greater use of biopesticides, bio-based technologies and Artificial Intelligence in agriculture.
Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie, Director, SKIMS and Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government, highlighted the need for closer institutional collaboration between agricultural and medical institutions in addressing food and health concerns.
Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension & Dean, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, highlighted the importance of strengthening the researchโextensionโfarmer interface and ensuring wider dissemination of improved technologies through Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs), capacity-building programmes and direct farmer engagement. She emphasised that such initiatives are vital for facilitating the adoption of location-specific, climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural technologies at the field level.
Speaking on regulation and standards, Shri Khalid Jahangir, JKAS, Commissioner, Food & Drug Administration, J&K, stressed the importance of maintaining quality and safety across the food chain, from production and processing to consumption.
Prof. Fazlul Qadir Parray, Dean, Medical Faculty, SKIMS and Principal, SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, emphasised the importance of creating awareness about nutritious traditional foods and healthy dietary practices among the younger generation.
From the ecological agriculture perspective, Shri Umendra Dutt, Executive Director, Kheti Virasat Mission, highlighted soil health, biodiversity and conservation of traditional agricultural knowledge.
In his welcome address, Prof. Parmeet Singh, SKUAST-K, emphasised the need to strengthen links between scientific institutions and farming communities and improve mechanisms for translating research into field-level action.
A major feature of the seminar was the participation of around 350 farmers and FPO members, who interacted with experts on cultivation, processing, food safety, value addition and market opportunities. Discussions also covered millet-based products, branding, packaging and entrepreneurship.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Anjum Bashir, SKIMS, Soura.
