Himachal Governor Bandaru Dattatraya on Tuesday emphasized on promoting technology transfer in horticulture and urged scientists to transform their research work according to the changing weather conditions.
The Governor was presiding over the 36th foundation day function of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan on the online platform from Raj Bhavan, Shimla.
While congratulating on the foundation day, the Governor said as the first Horticulture and Forestry University in Asia, the institute has played a leading role in the field of horticulture and forestry education, research and extension education for more than three decades. As a result, new techniques have reached the fields of millions of farmers, he said.
He emphasized on development of new varieties and agricultural techniques. He also urged to use scientific input in natural farming to cooperate in making it better. The Governor said that the scientists of the university have received 22 projects worth Rs 7.85 crore in the last one year to promote research activities through various financial institutions.
In his address, the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that scientists must take the research to the fields only then desired results could be achieved. He said the production would increase only when we motivate the farmers and horticulturists to adopt the latest varieties of seeds and technologies.
Thakur said that presently, horticultural crops account for about 33 percent of agricultural production and due to this the horticulture sector has witnessed a growth of 2.6 percent in the last 10 years with an increase in productivity by 4.8 percent.
The Governor and Chief Minister also released various publications of the University on the occasion.