(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo on Wednesday held detailed deliberations with a delegation from the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, to advance the agenda of Climate Smart Agriculture in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The delegation, led by Dr. Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General, ICRISAT, also included Senior Scientists, Dr. Manzoor Dar and Dr. Demaris Odeny, while Professor Haroon Naik, Director Research, SKUAST-Kashmir, was present during the meeting.

The discussions primarily revolved around the establishment of Himalayan Centre of Excellence for Dryland Agriculture at SKUAST-K, envisioned as a landmark initiative to position J&K as a leader in climate-resilient and sustainable agriculture.

The proposed Centre will serve as a hub for research, innovation and technology dissemination suited to the unique agro-ecological conditions of the Himalayan region. Its focus areas will include development of climate-resilient crop varieties, strengthening decentralized seed systems, promoting regenerative and dryland farming practices and advancing soil and water conservation besides enhancing farmer-centric value chains across the UT.

A key part of the deliberations highlighted the critical importance of fodder security for J&K. With a large proportion of farming households dependent on livestock particularly in hilly and rainfed areas.

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The Chief Secretary was apprised of the urgent need to strengthen fodder development programs. He was informed that ensuring year-round availability of quality fodder would improve livestock productivity and enhance both nutritional and livelihood security for rural communities.

The Centre of Excellence is expected to integrate the crop-livestock systems, advanced research, and farmer-focused innovations, thereby contributing to sustainable livelihoods, resilience against climate shocks and long-term prosperity of J&K's farming communities in the times to come.

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