JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today exhorted scientists in the state to work for the country by sharing their knowledge with farmers and taking technology from "lab to land".
She said research that does not change lives and technology that does not upgrade livelihood of poor farmers is meaningless.
"My late father and former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, used to untiringly remind scientists to come out of their cocoons and take their knowledge into the field", Mehbooba said addressing the 5th convocation of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology of Jammu, of which she is the pro-chancellor.
Calling upon scientists to share their knowledge with the farmers, the chief minister said she would keenly watch how scientists at SKUAST-J rise to the challenge of sustainable agriculture, organic farming and food security.
"Unlike other states which are grappling with drought, farmer suicides and water shortages, we have been lucky in having ample water resources to harness our agriculture potential," she said.
Asking universities to go the extra mile in taking technology from lab to land, Mehbooba said farmers will have to be taken onboard if agriculture sector has to reclaim its key position in the state's economy.
Governor N N Vohra, the Chancellor of the University, and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya, were also present at the convocation.
Hankering after a government job is a devaluation of knowledge and skill, the Chief Minister said, urging the graduating students to think big and take maximum benefit out of various credit facilitation schemes launched by the state and central governments in modern farming.
Agri-tourism holds huge dividends for the state in food and food processing industries, she said.
"The government will support you on all fronts. I want you to become partners in our new plans for rejuvenating the agriculture sector," she told the graduating students.