Archive NEWS 2015 - July 2016

CSK H. P. Agricultural University, Palampur 176062

Last Updated: August 6, 2015

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Last Updated: July 30, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/45 Dated: 30 July 2016

 

Palampur 30 July. Van Mahotsav was celebrated at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, here today. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, planted a sapling of   Lucaena to mark the occasion.

He said that plants help in minimizing the harmful effects of global warming, improve the conservation of biodiversity, soil and water besides increasing the forest cover. The university staff also  planted Lucaena saplings in a large number. This plant is commonly known as Subabul and is useful for claiming waste land, fodder and fuel. Statutory officers, staff and students were present on the occasion.

 

 

 

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Last Updated: July 30, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/44 Dated: 29 July 2016
 

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSKHPAU enumerates achievements during his three years tenure

 

Palampur 29 July. On the eve of completion of his three years term as Vice-Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Dr.K.K.Katoch, has enumerated his major achievements. He said that specific initiatives were taken for the development and improvement in the functioning of the university, management of financial health, human resource development, research and extension activities, teaching and students’ development under his leadership.

 

The Vice-Chancellor said that he was able to secure  Rs.99.38 crore additional financial assistance from the Govt of Himachal Pradesh which helped him to clear the pending dues of pensioners and employees. The regular state grant-in-aid budget was got raised from  Rs.57 crore to Rs. 77.25 crore in the year 2016-17. Dr.K.K.Katoch also thanked the Chief Minister and State Govt. for this liberal grant.

 

He  told that 201 adhoc research projects worth Rs. 169 crore were submitted and 90 projects worth Rs.27 crore  were sanctioned by different agencies. The state government also sanctioned Rs.five crore for a girls’ hostel and two hostels one each for boys and girls worth Rs. 2.5 crore each have also been sanctioned. Dr.Katoch said that emphasis was also given for infrastructure development and construction works worth Rs.26 crore have been completed in the university and out- stations. The University library was recently digitalized. A Central Purchase and Disposal Unit was established which has been able to save time of the staff and was generating additional income to the university by way of handling charges. An income of Rs.1.17 crore has been generated by this unit.  Environmental friendly on-line admission system was successfully introduced to facilitate the applicants for different undergraduate programmes. Similarly, video-conferencing unit was established for conducting viva-voce examination for post- graduate students. This facility has also been created in some research stations to benefit staff and farmers.

International coordination cell was created to enhance inter-institutional academic, research and extension in the country and outside country.

 

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor informed that he was able to regularize holding of annual convocation which were pending since the year 2006.The process to establish two new farm colleges at Dhaulakuan and Bajaura has been approved by the Board of Management (BOM). In addition to this proposal, a proposal to establish a regional research sub-station and model research pasture at Pangi has been submitted to the Government. Another proposal to reserve some seats for wards of agriculturists in B.Sc. (Agriculture) has been approved by the BOM. A provision of reservation purely on the basis of performance in sports has been made to promote excellence in sports. All due promotions of teaching and non-teaching staff were done and 45 posts of teachers and 33 posts of non-teachers were got sanctioned.

 

He told that seven memorandums of understandings were signed with international and national institutions.

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, elaborated that efforts were made to accelerate research and extension activities. Four new All India Coordinated projects were sanctioned, three crop varieties were released and twenty new technologies were developed. Around one thousand training programmes were organized and around 7600 farmers’ visits were conducted. In addition to regular organization of international and national seminars, conferences, etc; meetings of all statutory bodies were held in time. For the first time, a workshop on zero budget farming was organized which was inaugurated by the Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

 

The Vice-Chancellor expressed his gratitude to the Chancellor for his guidance and thanked Chief Minister and Govt of Himachal Pradesh for full support in running the affairs of the university. He also thanked members of senate, BOM, Academic Council, various teaching and non-teaching unions and the university staff for extending support to him for successful completion of his three years term.

 

 

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Last Updated: July 30, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/43 Dated:28 July 2016

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor inaugurates two buildings and Digital library worth Rs. 113 lac at CSK HPAU

 

Palampur 28 July.  A building of organic agriculture production block worth Rs. 77 lac was inaugurated by Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor  at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University here today.  Another farm office building worth Rs. 28 lac in the Department of Vegetable Science and  Floriculture was also inaugurated by him. Both the works have been fully funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR). The Vice-Chancellor said that the new buildings will facilitate the staff, students and visiting farmers.

The Vice-Chancellor also inaugurated and dedicated the digital library worth Rs.8 lac. He told that it will allow online access to the students, teachers and others. The users will be able to find searchable collection of books online and outside the university through Ez proxy software. The project of digitization of special section of university library focused on Himachal Pradesh was sanctioned by the Govt of H.P. More than 2600 theses have been digitized and work is in progress for other pending books, etc.

Estate officer Er.A.K.Chadha, Librarian Dr.Atul, Dean Dr.Kamlesh Singh, Director of Extension Education Dr. P.K.Mehta, Director of Research Dt. S.S.Kanwar, Dean Dr GCN COVAS Dr.R.K.Agnihotri , Er. Ashok Sood, Architect Ashwani Sharma, Head Vegetable Science & Floriculture   Dr Y.S.Chauhan, Head Deptt of Organic Agriculture Dr.J.P.Saini, Assistant Librarian Mr.Dev Walia   and others were present during inauguration ceremonies.

 

 

 

 

 

Pic caption: Dr.K.K.Katoch Vice-Chancellor inaugurating the organic agriculture production block, farm office building and digital library.

 

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Last Updated: July 06, 2016

Significant University Activities for the month of  May 2016

MEDIA CELL

Key Highlights

 

Research

 

Extension Education

 

Miscellaneous

 

Finance

 

 

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Last Updated: June 22, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/37  Dated: June 21, 2016

 

Kisan Mela-cum Training on protection of  plant varieties & farmers rights act at Chambi(Rait)

The Vice-Chancellor exhorts farmers to conserve seed of traditional crop varieties

 Palampur 21 June. A Kisan Mela was organized by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University's  Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kangra at Chambi, near Rait, around 55 Kms from here today.

 Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while presiding over the Mela, asked the farmers to preserve the seed of traditional crop varieties as there was huge market for traditional crops like Red rice.  He also asked them to avoid indiscriminate use of chemical in the crops and also grow chemical free and nutritious food. The Vice-Chancellor also asked them to bring more area under pulses and oilseed crops. He also underlined the importance of soil and water conservation, animal husbandry, farm education, etc and asked the farmers to make use of government programmes to raise crop production. He told that the university was always at the door step of farmers to solve their problems.  

Chief Guest Shri Kewal Singh Pathania, Vice-Chairman, H.P.State Forest Development Corporation and Members, Board of Management of the university, appreciated the collective efforts of Farm University, department of agriculture and progressive farmers for making the state self sufficient on food front. He told that such Kisan Melas help better communication between various stake holders. Shri Pathania said that the state government was committed for agricultural development and a large number of vacant positions in the department of agriculture have been filled up. He also elaborated about various government initiatives for the farmers.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education, exhorted the farmers to remain in touch with KVKs and  the university for latest farm knowhow. Dr.Satish Paul, Nodal Officer, PPV & FRA and Principal Scientist, detailed about the protection of  plant varieties and farmers rights act.

Dr.Sanjiv Upadhyay, Programme Coordinator, KVK; Dr.D.K.Vats, Head, Agricultural Engineering, Dr.Desh Raj, Deputy Director Agriculture; Dr.Shashi Sharma, Deputy Director Horticulture, Dr.Suresh Kumar, Additional Chief Conservator of forests; Dr.Pawnesh Sharma, Regional Director, Mid-Himalyan Project,  and some other officers also expressed their views. Dr.Pradeep Thakur, Conservator of Forests, Sh Shrwan Manta, SDM; Smt Rekha, BDO., etc were present in the Mela.

An exhibition was also installed and some progressive farmers were honoured on the occasion.

 

 

 

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Last Updated: June 18, 2016

 

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/35  Dated: June 16, 2016

 

Dr.K.K.Katoch,VC chairs Scientific Advisory Committee meeting at KVK,  Bara

 

CSKHPAU develops a new strain of poultry for backyard poultry farming

 

Bara(Hamirpur) 18 June. A scientific advisory committee meeting of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra(KVK) was held under the chairmanship of Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor,CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today.

While addressing around thirty  district level officers from different departments, scientists and progressive farmers, the Vice-Chancellor informed  that the university has developed a new strain  of poultry which lays  on an average  about 150 eggs in a year under the back yard poultry production system. This strain has  been developed by crossing of a dual purpose  Dahlem Red breed with native birds of Himahcal Pradesh and has  proved suitable under backyard  poultry farming under local agro-climatic condition. He asked the members to  motivate the farmers to adopt backyard poultry farming to raise their economic and nutritional status.

He said that it was imperative to judiciously use all natural resources and laid emphasis on water conservation. Dr Katoch said that Nadaun region was known for vegetable production and the university will solve the newly emerged problems for the farmers of this area. He also spoke on the importance of crop insurance, soil health cards, agricultural marketing, etc.The Vice-Chancellor also appreciated the perfect coordination between KVK and district level officers of various departments.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education, said that the university was making efforts to train young farmers and the farming community was being made aware about the solutions to face the challenges of climate change.

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research,said that the university was aware about the new insect pests under poly house farming and detailed about the research on this issue.He also spoke in the importance of animal husbandry.

Dr.Pardeep Kumar, Programme Coordinator, KVK, elaborated about the work done in the past and detailed about the trainings and other extension programmes to be carried out in future. Dr Chaman Chauhan, Dr Anjana Thakur, Dr.Albel Singh, Deputy Director Agriculture; Dr.Subhash, Deputy Director Horticulture; Dr.B.N.Sharma, Deputy Director Animal Husbandry, Sh. R.C.Goma, DFO and progressive farmers Sh Narender Sandhu,Sh Baljeet Sandhu , Sh Suresh Kumar, Smt Usha Katoch and other  took part in the  deliberations and gave suggestions for the smooth functioning of the KVK.

 

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Last Updated: June 17, 2016

 

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/35  Dated: June 16, 2016

 

Scientific Advisory Committee meeting at KVK,Kangra

CSKHPAU to establish Hill Cow Breeding Centre: Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor

 

Palampur  16 June. A scientific advisory committee (SAC) meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra(KVK)  was held today at Kangra under the chairmanship of Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor,CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University.

While addressing around three dozen members of SAC including officers from different departments, scientists and progressive farmers, the Vice-Chancellor said that new challenges have emerged due to climate change and the farming community should be advised and prepared to accept these with precise information. He told that his university was already working on such issues and have also started work on zero budget natural farming. He also asked the members to create awareness about the need to bring more area under pulses and oilseeds.The Vice-Chancellor also underlined the importance of soil and water conservation, poly house farming, etc. and informed that his university will establish a hill cow breeding centre at the main campus. There was a proposal to establish a model rehabilitation and improvement centre for cattle.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education, said that Kangra being a large district with varied topography has many challenges for the farmers and scientists but  there were solutions to all major farm problems. He asked farmers to provide effective feedback to the scientists for better results in the farms.He sought cooperation from all members to spread new technology among farmers.

Dr.Sanjiv Upadhyay, Programme Coordinator, KVK, elaborated about the work done in the past and future programmes. Dr Vishal Dogra, Principal Extension Specialist; Dr.Ashok Kumar, Scientist Incharge, Oilseeds Research Station; Dr.Desh Raj, Deputy Director Agriculture; Dr.Shashi Sharma, Deputy Director Horticulture, Dr.Suman, District Manager, Nabard and progressive farmers Mr Raghubir Singh, Mr Zalim Singh, Mrs Baljeet Kaur and Mrs Rekha Chaudhry actively participated in the deliberations.

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Last Updated: June 13, 2016

 

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/34  Dated: June 13, 2016

Kisan Mela on Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme at KVK, Kangra

Palampur 13 June. Mrs Viplove Thakur, Member Parliament (Rajya Sabha) has asked the farming community to take advantage of ‘Pardhanmantri Fasal Bima Yojna’ ( PMFBY) to safeguard themselves from crop losses due weather vagaries. She, as Chief Guest, was addressing the farmers during a Kisan Mela organized by the CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Kangra today. Mrs Viplove Thakur said that the farming community of Himachal Pradesh was very hard working and the ladies were playing an active role in various farm operations. She asked the bank and insurance officers to adequately explain about the PMFBY in a simple and easy to understand language so that the farmers may properly understand and adopt this useful scheme. She also told that the state government has reduced the premium to merely 0.8 percent on some crops and the farmers must make use of low premium PMFBY. Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education, said that weather plays a major role in crop operations and it was imperative to safeguard the interests of farmers. PMFBY can come to the rescue of farmers in case of any loss. He also asked the farmers to save water and adopt avocations like bee-keeping to supplement their income. He said that farmers can always rely upon the information from KVKs for increasing their crop yields. Dr.Sanjiv Upadhyay, Programme Coordinator ,KVK explained about activities of his centre. Messers  Suman, P Rana and V.K.Sharma, all officers from banks and insurance companies, gave detailed information about PMFBY. Dr.Ripon Sood, Project Director, ATMA and officers from the department of agriculture and horticulture also attended the Kisan Mela.

Mrs Viplove Thakur addressing the farmers

a view of the dais and participating farmers

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Last Updated: June 10, 2016

Significant University Activities for the month of  May 2016

MEDIA CELL

Key Highlights

Research

Extension Education


 

Miscellaneous

Finance

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Last Updated: May 20, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/32  Dated: May 20, 2016

 

Media Visit to the Estate Office

Palampur 19 May. The Media Cell of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University conducted a media visit to the Estate Office today. While interacting with reporters of print and electronic media, Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor told that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has agreed to the university proposal to sanction Rs.2.5 crore as a special fund to commemorate Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the College of Agriculture.

He told that emphasis has been to augment infra-structural facilities for the students, farmers and staff. As the number of girl students in different academic programmes was increasing every year so to accommodate almost 180 girls, foundation stone of two new girls’ hostels has been laid, in addition to a new boys hostel. He said that all construction works were of high quality, environment friendly and having a flair for hill architect. The Vice-Chancellor also answered to several questions concerning the university.

Earlier, Er.A.K.Chadha, Estate Officer, gave detailed information about the working of his office and told that construction works to the tune of Rs. 2877 lac have been completed in the last three years. Some other miscellaneous works worth Rs.five crore have also been completed. He informed that among the major works, Advance Multidisciplinary Veterinary Services &  Farmers’ Capacity Building Centre worth Rs. 6 crore, S.C.Girls Hostel worth Rs. Two crore, Examination Hall worth Rs.2.5 crore, Educational Museum worth Rs.One crore , Chamundeshwari Hostel worth Rs. 1.5 crore, etc. were the major works in addition to construction works at eight Krishi Vigyan Kendra and fourteen Research Stations. The reporters  were also taken to the major spots were new works have been completed or works were in progress.  Er.Ashok Sood, Er. R.S.Premi, both Executive Engineers and Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director Information & Public Relations) were also present during the Media Visit attended by around a ten reporters.

 

 

 

 

Some pics of Media Visit to Estate Office

 

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Last Updated: May 12, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/31  Dated: May 11, 2016

 

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor underlines the need of effective transfer of technology

for the benefit of farming community

Palampur 11 May. A State level annual action plan meeting of all twelve Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of Himachal Pradesh was held at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today.

Dr K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor, in his inaugural address,  told that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) had largest extension network in country through KVKs. He said that technology should be refined before transferring and it needs to be passed on to the farming community through precision for ready adoption. He suggested that each and every aspect should be monitored properly and observations by the specialists were important. The Vice-Chancellor exhorted utilization of mass media approach for effective transfer of useful technology to the farmers. He also advised that only those farm inputs should be popularized which were readily available in the respective areas.

Dr.K.K.Katoch asked KVKs to give proposals for new initiatives like zero budget natural farming, etc. He said that integration of technology with climate was a must. He also discussed issues like trainings for women farmers, judicious use of chemicals in agriculture ,etc.  

Dr Rajbir Singh, Director, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute(ATARI),Zone-I,  Ludhiana told that KVK,Una has been selected for massive seed production programme on pulses and oil seeds. He told that in addition to given mandate, KVKs became hub of activities with Govt. of India new initiatives like Adarsh Gram Yojna, Skill India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Soil Health Cards, etc. There were 643 KVKs in the country and more than four hundred Member of Parliament visited these KVKs in the recent past. It makes them aware about KVK activities. He asked extension specialists to highlight KVK activities and focus on skill development with trainings of minimum three days. 

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education, said that formulation of action plan was an essential activity as KVKs work for the socio-economic development of farming community. He asked KVKs to lay front line demonstration on pulses, show-case latest technology through on farm trials, etc. He asked KVKs to effectively involve youngsters in skill development programmes.

Dr. S.K.Gupta, Joint Director, Dr Y.S.Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan, asked KVKs to do impact analysis and test technologies under different micro climates. Drs Keshav,.Desh Raj and Pankaj Sood  also expressed their views.

Programme coordinators of twelve KVKs of the State and  Heads of departments participated in the meeting which was jointly organized by Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Zone-I and the Directorate of Extension Education, CSKHPAU.Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research and Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director(Information & Public Relations) also attended the inaugural ceremony.

 Director of Extension Education welcoming Vice-Chancellor

 

 A view of the dais and audience

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Last Updated: May 6, 2016

 

Significant University Activities for the month of  April 2016

 

MEDIA CELL

Key Highlights

 Research

Extension Education

 Miscellaneous 

Finance

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Last Updated: April 29, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/29  Dated: April 29, 2016

His Excellency the Governor at CSKHPAU

The Governor pays a visit to Agricultural Technology Information Centre

Palampur 29 April. Acharya Devvrat, His Excellency the Governor and Chancellor, CSKHPAU, paid a visit to Agricultural Technology Information Centre(ATIC) today morning. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor welcomed the Chancellor. Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director Extension Education, conducted the visit and detailed about the ATIC mandate, functioning and the services being provided to the farmers and others from this single window unit. Some of the pics of H.E. the Governor's visit:

 

 

 

 

 

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Last Updated: April 27, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/28  Dated: April 27, 2016

His Excellency the Governor at CSKHPAU

Glimpses of the inaugural ceremony of Zero Budget Natural Farming

 Palampur 27 April. Acharya Devvrat, His Excellency the Governor of Himachal Pradesh and Chancellor, CSKH.P. Agriculture University inaugurated the four days national training workshop on Zero Budget Natural Farming at the University, here today.  H.E. appreciated the University for this Initiative and exhorted the students and scientists to religiously attend the workshop for four days. He expressed the hope that the workshop will enable the participants to think afresh and open new vistas in their lives.

The Governor thanked well known exponent of natural farming Padamshree Subhash Palekar for making  50 lakh farmers follow the concept of natural farming in the country.The Governor also asked the scientists to listen and learn the new concept so that it is properly transferred to the farming community.

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, informed that his University had , already, introduced the concept of natural farming as a research component in post graduate research. Even the fifty percent area under organic farm has been put under the natural farming. He said that natural farming was environment friendly, self sustaining and it respects human life.

Padamshree Subhash Palekar, the key speaker, told that it was a myth that the nation was self sufficient on food front as the country was, still, importing pulses and many other inputs for modern farming. He said that industrialization was not answer to employment generation as it was a big source of green house gases detrimental to ozone layer. He said that only ‘zero budget spiritual farming’    could provide solutions to manifold problems the country was facing. He said that Himachal Pradesh was ideal for this type of farming and youngsters need to follow it.

Dr P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education, welcomed all and Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research, presented a vote of thanks.

More than three hundred farmers from different districts of Himachal Pradesh and  some farmers from Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab are also attending the workshop.

University officers, scientists and students attended the inaugural ceremony. Officers from the district and local administration and State Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, the Governor also visited the organic farm of the University and interacted with scientists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Some pictures of the inaugural ceremony and field visit by His Excellency the Governor:

 

 

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Last Updated: April 21, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/27  Dated: April 21, 2016

Farm Officers’ Workshop on Kharif  Crops

Sh. Sujan Singh Pathania exhorts scientists & farm officers to increase income of farmers

Palampur 21 April. Shri Sujan Singh Pathania, Minister of Agriculture, Himachal Pradesh, has advocated increasing the income of farming community. He was addressing officers from the State Department of Agriculture, University scientists and progressive farmers during the inaugural ceremony of State level Agriculture Officers' Workshop on Kharif crops at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today.

The Minister said that the cost of production of farm produce has increased substantially but the income of farmers has not increased reasonably. He suggested that fast and accurate transfer of modern technology, crop diversification, quality control, decrease in post harvest losses, etc. were some of the issues which   needed attention of stake holders to help in substantially increasing the income of farmers. He also underlined the need to increase area under pulse crops.  "As pulses were rich source of protein so its production besides providing remunerative prices will also  provide  nutritional security to small and marginal farmers.", the Minister said. Shri Pathania told that most of the farm operations were performed by women so there was need to reduce drudgery by farm mechanization.

While elaborating about various programmes of the government to increase production, the minister said that the State has emerged as a model agricultural hill state and has earned name in vegetable production, protected cultivation, organic farming, mushroom farming, etc. The area under vegetable crops has increased to 75 thousand hectare with production of 15 lakh metric ton. He also congratulated the farmers, officers and scientists as the State was regularly  decorated with many agricultural prizes at the national level.

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, said that bee-keeping should be popularized for pollination and honey. The meeting of state varieties release committee should be held at regular intervals so that the university developed crop varieties may reach farmers in time. The university was developing tomato hybrid seed for the farmers. As the climate change was adversely affecting the crop production so optimum use of irrigation sources was a must. He also informed about a training programme on zero budget farming from 27 April to 30 April at the university and asked the farmers to attend it.Dr.K.K.Katoch said the proper implementation of various farmer welfare schemes was as important as its truthful adoption. The Vice-Chancellor appreciated the perfect coordination between the university and state department of agriculture.

Dr.Som Raj Kalia, Director, Deptt of Agriculture, H.P. informed about the arrangements made for farm inputs for ensuing Kharif season. He also elaborated about Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna, 'National Food Security Mission', Organic Farming, etc, and told that Rs. 25 crore 'Mukhyamantri Khet Sarankshan Yojna (Chief Minister Crop Protection Scheme)',  Rs. five crore 'Uttam Chara Utpadan Scheme (Quality Fodder Production Scheme)', etc. have also been implemented. He  asked the officers to achieve targets in time. The Director also elaborated about 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Vima  Yojna'.

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research, elaborated about significant research accomplishments and priorities of the University. He informed that  15856 Kg breeder seed and  8889 Kg of  foundation seed of cereals, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables and fodder crops was produced during last  Kharif  season. 131 research project worth Rs. 4709 lac were in operation in the university. He also informed about the release proposal of Rice variety HPR 2656 (Him Palam Dhan 1) for cultivation in Low & Mid hills of H.P. and Release proposal of Rice variety HPR 2880 (Him Palam Dhan 2) for cultivation in Low & Mid hills of H.P. and   Palam Sankar Makka 2 (EHL 161708), a single cross medium maturity maize hybrid for inclusion in the package of practices for Kharif Crops.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education, told that 18732 farmers participated in various trainings by the directorate of extension and Krishi Vigyan Kendras. The university was utilizing mobile and social media to transfer the latest farm  information among farmers. To encourage farm mechanization, custom hiring centre facility has been initiated for small and marginal farmers from where they can hire small farm machinery. He told that a four day workshop on zero budget farming will be organized in the last week of this month.

Dr.Desh Raj Chaudhry also expressed his views. University statutory officers, Progressive farmers  Messers Kulwant Singh, Rajender Thakur, Balbir Singh, Vijay Kumar, Ashwani Sharma, Babu Ram, Tej Singh and Padam Singh also took active part in the discussions and gave suggestions.

 

Shri Sujan Singh Pathania, Agriculture Minister flanked by Vice-Chancellor Dr.K.K.Katoch and other officers during

inaugural ceremony of  Kharif Workshop

A view of the progressive farmers, scientists and officers

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor honoring the Agriculture Minister Shri Sujan Singh Pathania

 

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Last Updated: April 16, 2016

 

 

 

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/26  Dated: April 12, 2016

Three farm scientists from CSKHPAU get H.P. State Innovation Award 

Palampur  16 April. Three  CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University scientists have been awarded with maiden H.P. State Innovation Award. Drs.P.K.Mehta, Pankaj Sood and CS Parbhakar, who developed a simple fruit fly trap for the benefit of farming community, were conferred this award by the Chief Minister during Statehood day function at Ghumarwin, yesterday. 

According to Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, fruit flies are  one of the most serious pests of agriculture in India and their management using mass trapping techniques by developing a local bottle based fruit fly trap (Palam trap) was  achieved by a team of farm scientists lead by Dr.P.K.Mehta.  The trap was developed considering the wide spectrum of fruit fly species prevalent in the region. The fruit flies cause extensive damage to vegetable crops like cucumber, tomato, bitter gourd and such other cucurbitaceous vegetable crops and fruits like mango, guava, peach, pear  and all citrus fruits. It is suitable for agriculture and horticulture ecosystems. The technology after on- farm testing at various locations within the state has been demonstrated and highly acclaimed by the farmers. The technology has been included in the university package of practices. Technology has been disseminated by organizing a number of training camps for extension personnel, rural youth and farmers, awareness camps and through pamphlets. The department of agriculture has also taken up the technology and is  providing the traps developed by the University at Krishi Vigyan Kendra , Mandi and university headquarters  on subsidized rates to the farmers.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education and team leader told that more than  forty thousand traps worth Rs. fifty lakh  have been provided to the farmers during last five years. Palam trap has become a house hold name amongst the vegetable and  fruit growers in the state. The traps have also been demonstrated through KVKs in Haryana & Punjab and widely appreciated. Being an environmental friendly and easy to adopt technology, the farmers were  readily accepting the same. It being a low cost and local technology, this not only increased productivity but also overall profitability of the growers. Being a pesticide free or minimum pesticide usage technology, it is sustainable and consumer friendly as the harmful residual toxicity is minimized.

 

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, has appreciated the efforts of scientists and asked other scientists to emulate them for the socio-economic betterment of farmers.

 

             

                           

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Last Updated: April 12, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/24  Dated: April 12, 2016

 

Farmers, scientists and farm  officers celebrate Wheat day at Malan

 

Palampur 12  April. Wheat day was celebrated by farmers, scientists and agriculture officers at Rice & Wheat Research Station of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University at Malan, 20 KMs from here today.

 

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice Chancellor, as Chief Guest, while appreciating the efforts of scientists for developing high yielding wheat varieties, asked the farmers to pay attention for growing pulse crops also. He said that it was important to conserve seeds of traditional crop varieties and emphasised the importance of safe food. He also spoke on the importance of organic farming, protected cultivation, soil and water conservation, animal husbandry, etc and asked the farmers to make use of available technology for their socio-economic development.

 

Dr.Katoch asked the young farmers to make use of social media to elicit farm related information from scientists and others. He said that potato growing farmers of the area may form a group of WhatsApp to share issue related to potato production.

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research elaborated about the research work on various wheat varieties which were resistant to yellow rust and such other diseases. He asked the farmers to use quality seed from a known source and replace seed at regular intervals. Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education, suggested the farmers to maintain a live-link with university and its all Krishi Vigyan Kendras and research stations for latest know-how. He also spoke on the importance of bee keeping.

 

Dr.Rippon Sood, Project Director, Agricultural Technology Management Agency(ATMA) elaborated about various training and other programmes for the benefit of farmers. He underlined the importance of technology in wheat production.

 

Dr.Ashwani  Basandrai, Principal Scientists and In-charge, Rice & Wheat Research Station educated about various activities of his station.

 

Head of Departments from the university and other scientists interacted with farmers to answer their farm related questions.Dr.Ajai Srivastva and Dr.D.R.Thakur also expressed their views on wheat crop.

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice Chancellor, honoured progressive farmers Shri Desh Raj and Smt. Anita Devi. He inaugurated a green house and seed store at the station. He also visited the experimental farm and visited the exhibition installed on the occasion. Farmers also purchased seed of paddy and summer vegetables.

 

 

A view of the dais and audience

 

The Vice-Chancellor honouring the progressive farmers and inaugurating the green house.

 

 

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Last Updated: April 11, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/23  Dated: April 11, 2016

CSKHPAU scientists organize infertility treatment camps at high altitude tribal villages of Kinnaur

 Palampur 11 April. A team of veterinary scientists from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University   organized eight infertility treatment camps for cows at high altitude tribal villages Katgaon, Kafnu, Kanam, Labrang, Giabong, Pooh, Namgia and Kalpa of Distt. Kinnaur. Around 150 cows suffering from infertility problems were examined and treated. Scientists collected uterine discharge samples from repeat breeder cows to study the infection pattern of reproductive diseases. Blood samples were also collected from infertile cows to study minerals, biochemical and hormonal profile for detailed diagnosis of the diseases. Free treatment was provided to ailing animals of farmers. The team leader and Principal Investigator Prof. Madhumeet Singh told that infertility camps were organized under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) project to investigate various causes responsible for infertility and their treatment in bovines in Himachal Pradesh.Other team members included Dr. Pravesh Kumar, Mr. Manoj Negi, Mr. Kamaljeet and Mr. Vijay Rana from the Department of Veterinary Gynecology and obstetrics, Dr. G. C. Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.In the  recent past,  scientists from Department of Veterinary Gynecology and obstetrics have organized 134 infertility treatment camps in all parts of Himachal Pradesh under RKVY project, including 41 camps in tribal areas of Pangi, Bharmour, Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur and also in some very remote locations like villages of Dodra-Kwar (Shimla) and trans-giri belt of Sirmour. More than 2700 animals with reproductive ailments have been examined and treated so far in these camps. Dr K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, has appreciated the efforts of scientists for serving them in difficult and remote areas of Himachal Pradesh.

 


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Last Updated: April 11, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/22 Dated: April 09, 2016

 

CSK H.P. Agriculture University to fill up 31  positions of teachers and non-teachers

Palampur 9  April. The Board of Management (BOM) of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University on the recommendation of Finance Committee has accorded permission to fill up thirty one positions of  teachers and non -teaching employees  in the university. This was disclosed by Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice Chancellor, who chaired the twin meetings of Finance Committee and  BOM.

Dr.K.K.Katoch told that ten posts of assistant professors in Dr G C Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, twenty posts of junior office assistants and one post of assistant registrar will be filled up. The university budget to the tune of Rs.151 crore was also approved. He said that six percent DA of university employees and pensioners has already been released and confirmed in the meeting. The board allowed extending family pension benefits to mentally retarded and differently abled children even after their marriage. The stipend of farm students undergoing rural agricultural work experience has been increased to Rs. Three thousand at par with Indian Council of Agricultural Research. To attract international students, the fee structure has been rationalised for them. Under career advanced scheme, three teachers were promoted to the rank of associate professor and one teacher was promoted to the rank of professor.

The Vice-Chancellor informed the members about major activities undertaken in the university since last meeting and the members appreciated the new initiatives like conduct of online viva voce examination through video conferencing, streamlining of entrance examination, extending the entrance based merit list of applicants to private institutions, addition of new hostels, etc.

 Fifteen members  including Mrs Upma Chaudhary,IAS, Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture; Mr S.K.Baldi, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary Finance; Dr.Som Raj Kalia, Director of Agriculture ; Dr.Shekhar Masey, Director of Animal Husbandry; Dr.D.P.Bhangalia, Director Horticulture; Mr Kewal Singh Pathania, Dr.H.S.Baweja, Mr Rakesh Kumar, Er.S.P.Negi, Dr.Kamlesh Singh, Mr.Jatinder Singh, Mrs. Shashi Kiran, Dr.N.K.Pandey, Mr.Manoj Kumar,HAS, Registrar-cum- Member Secretary  attended the meeting.

 

 

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Last Updated: April 06, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/21 Dated: April 06, 2016

 

Vice-Chancellor Dr.K.K.Katoch lays the foundation stone of a new girls hostel worth Rs.2.5 crore

 Palampur 6 April.  Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor, CSK H.P. Agriculture University, laid the foundation stone of a new girls hostel 'Kalindi'.  It will have 36 rooms to house 72 girls. It will be constructed at the cost of Rs. 2.5 crore and has been fully funded by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR). Only yesterday, the foundation stone of boys hostel worth Rs. 2.5 crore was laid.

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor told that with the addition to new hostel, all the university hostels will be able to accommodate 1050 students from the total 1380 students on roll. He told that two more hostels, one for boys and another for girls, are likely to be sanctioned soon by Govt. of India where proposal has, already, been submitted.

Estate Officer Er.A.K.Chadha, Executive Engineer Ashok Sood, Architect Ashwani Sharma, statutory officers, scientists and students were present on the occasion.

 

Vice-Chancellor laying the foundation stone of Kalindi girls hostel and Architect Ashwani Sharma explain the building plan to him

 

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Last Updated: April 06, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/20 Dated: April 05, 2016

 

Articulate Tradition, Technology, Talent and Trade to make agriculture as alternative field for livelihood & sustainable development: Dr.N.S.Rathore, DDG, ICAR

 

Palampur 5 April. Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore, Deputy Director General (Education), Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) has asked the farm scientists to extend whole hearted support in  sustainable development of the rural India. He was delivering Golden Jubilee lecture to commemorate fifty years of the College of Agriculture at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today.

Dr.Rathore  said that it was imperative to make agricultural system more  vibrant for sustainability and livelihood. "Today we need skills, not just degrees, with the ability to assimilate, adapt, apply and develop new technologies. We need high quality agricultural graduates equipped with problem solving and creative skills and ability to think and improve productivity of agricultural sector", said Deputy Director General.

He told that ICAR has decided to introduce Student READY programme which was Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana in Under Graduate courses. It will include provision of Experiential learning, Hands-on training and Skill development, Rural Agricultural Work Experience, In plant training and Student project for one year period. He also underlined the need to articulate four T's namely Tradition, Technology, Talent and Trade to make agriculture as alternative field for livelihood and sustainable development.

Dr Rathore said that the agricultural sector was  getting more complex due to globalization, impact of climate change, entry of corporate sector in agriculture value chain, expanding demand for processed food, and need for postharvest technology. Declining land productivity and global climate changes were major challenges of today's agriculture. He suggested PQRST formula for accelerating agriculture by enhancing Productivity, Quality, Remuneration, Sustainability and Trading in agriculture field.

While presiding over the function, Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, appreciated   the successful fifty years journey of the College of Agriculture(COA). He  informed that the university has decided to introduce 10 percent inputs in its examination system from e-Krishi Shiksha Portal of the ICAR to broaden the understanding of subjects by the students. Sustained efforts were being made to improve the quality of education. The University has taken lead by starting online viva voce examination through video conferencing, online admission process, regularizing convocations, establishing International coordination cell, world class infrastructure and facilities to the students, especially foreign students. He also elaborated about other achievements in the area of academics, research and extension education.

Dr.Dinesh Badiyala, Dean, COA  informed about major achievements of his college whereas Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education made a power point presentation on the genesis and growth of this college.

The Chief Guest also honored some former deans, teachers and alumni of the COA. Dr.P.K.Mehta and his team was honored for development of 'Palam trap' to control fruit fly damage in vegetables and fruits. A golden jubilee souvenir and college magazine Him Jyoti were also released on the occasion.

Dr.N.S.Rathore also laid the foundation stone of a new boy's hostel. It will house around ninety students in 29 rooms and will be constructed at the cost of Rs. 2.5 crore. It has been fully funded by ICAR. Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor and statutory officers were present on the occasion. The DDG also visited some departments in the university and interacted with scientists and students.

 

Dignitaries on the dais

 

Dignitaries releasing souvenir

 

 

 

 

DDG laying the foundation stone of new boys hostel worth Rs.2.5 crore.

 

 

The Vice-Chancellor honoring DDG

 

 

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Last Updated: April 04, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/19 Dated: April 04, 2016

Vice Chancellor Dr.K.K.Katoch inaugurates INSPIRE internship camp at CSKHPAU

Palampur 4 April. A five days Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) internship camp for 150 meritorious students from 15 schools of the districts of Bilspur, Mandi, Kangra and Una began at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.

 

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while inaugurating the camp informed that the Govt. of India was making many efforts to popularize science in the country by different schemes at different levels. He asked the students to utilize the golden opportunity to pursue science as a career and help the country in creating a rich human resource pool in various branches of the science. He expressed his happiness that various Inspire camps held in the university in the past have been able to create a joy of learning and many of the participants joined this university to pursue a degree in agriculture or allied sciences. The Vice-Chancellor also narrated some of the innovations of last decade, especially in the areas of communication and social networking. He expressed the hope that the participants will interact freely with top scientists to satiate their science related queries during the five days.

 

Dr. Pawan Kumar Mehta, Director of Extension Education, while presiding over the inaugural function spoke on the importance of attending such programmes which enlighten the students about their career options, including a bright career in agricultural sciences. The students return enriched after attending such camps.  Dr.O.S.K.S.Sastri, Head of Physics department from the Central University, H.P., delivered a keynote address. He said that understating of science offered the innovators many useful inputs for valuable inventions.

 

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research and Coordinator of Inspire camp, told that the University had organized 14 such inspire camps in past with the participation of 2100 students from all over the State. He told that the students who score 84 percent of more marks in the matriculation examination were invited to attend such camps. This time scientists from the top research institutes of the country will be interacting with the students and they will be taken around the labs and each student will be provided a science kit so that they may conduct small experiments.

 

The inaugural session was attended by Dr.Kamlesh Singh, Dean College of Basic Sciences; Dr.R.K.Agnihotri, Dean, Dr.G C Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Science; Dr.Dinesh Badiyala, Dean, College of Agriculture, Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Jt. Director (Information & Public Relations) and others from the host University.

 

 

A view of the dais & participating students

 

 

Vice-Chancellor Dr.K.K.Katoch delivering the inaugural speech

 

 

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Last Updated: March 29, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/18 Dated:   March 29, 2016

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor inaugurates online viva voce examination facility at CSKHPAU

Palampur 29 March. CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University took a lead among State Agricultural Universities of the country by starting online viva voce examination through video conferencing, here today.

 Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor inaugurated the facility in the video-conferencing hall in the university and hailed it as a smooth, seamless, economic and hassle free system for the benefit of students. He said that the examiners will also save their time, effort and energy to travel to Palampur from their institutions. He said that the university will be in position to appoint examiners from all over the world as distances and remoteness of the Palampur will not be a constraint now. "This will help in further improving the educational standards in the University", he added.

As the students will be thoroughly preparing for their online viva voce examination so they will be ready to face other competitive examinations like Senior Research Fellow, Junior Research Fellow, Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board and such other competitive examinations without much effort. This examination will be without any distractions which usually creep in the normal viva voce system. The Vice-Chancellor said that the new online viva voce system will have huge financial savings to the university in the form of saving  on travelling and other allowances given to the examiners coming from all over the country.

The very first online viva voce examination of Ms. Anita Rana, Ph.D student from the College of Basic Sciences was conducted by Dr.Rajiv Aggarwal, an examiner from National Bureau of Animal Genetics Resources, Karnal. Dr.Neelam Sharma, Head, Deptt of Chemistry & Biochemistry and other members of student advisory committee were present during the online viva voce examination. Mr.Kapil Sharma extended technical support for the maiden successful effort. Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director (Information & Public Relations) was also present during inauguration of the new facility.

 

 

 

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Last Updated: March 28, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/17 Dated:   March 23, 2016

Training  on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act at Bahri in Dharampur

Vice-Chancellor Dr.K.K.Katoch asked farmers to preserve traditional crop varieties

Palampur 23 March. Krishi Vigyan Kendra,Mandi of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University organized an awareness and training programme on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act (PPV & FRA) at village Bahri in Dharampur block of Mandi District today.

Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor, as chief guest, told that 87 percent seed  requirement of the country was being met  by the farmers.Yet, seeds of several crop varieties was getting extinct with the adoption of modern farming. It was imperative to save the traditional crop varieties as these were rich in many nutrients and micro nutrients. He said that the government had in-acted PPV & FRA to safeguard the interest of farmers. It was necessary to conserve the traditional crop varieties for the food security of the nation. He also told that district Mandi was rich in agro-biodiveristy and there was immense possibility of growing cereals, vegetables and fruit crops. The Vice-Chancellor also advised the farmers to adopt protected cultivation as Govt was providing many incentives to popularize it. He also elaborated about the importance of water conservation, organic farming,animal husbandry,etc.  He told that an expert team has been constituted in the university to train two persons from each block of the state for poly house repair and asked the young farmers to get training for it.

Shri Chandershekhar,Vice-Chairman, H.P. State Handicrafts and Handloom  Corporation Ltd, while presiding over the function, expressed his gratitude to the university for organizing programme in remote area and asked the farmers to seek guidance from the scientist to raise good crops to raise their economic status.He said that people have a desire to adopt modern farming but there was need to preserve the traditional knowledge also. He requested the university to adopt some villages in Dharampur area for research and other activities. He also asked farmers to avoid excessive use of chemicals  and produce safe food.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education, asked the farmers to maintain a live link with the university and its KVKs for latest farm technology and information. He told that the university would be organizing a training course on natural farming from 27-30 April  for the benefit of farming community. He also asked them to make use of Palam trap to control fruit fly in vegetable crops in the ensuing Kharif season. It was readily available in all KVKs.

Dr.Satish Paul, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer, PPVFRA in the university enlightened farmers about various issues related to the act. He advocated them to save the seeds of traditional crop varieties.He told that several types of millets had been an integral part of traditional farming in the state.He specially mentioned about finger millet(Bhandal),Fox tail( kangani) and horse gram(Kulthi),Black gram(Mash), Red rice(Aanani), Wild soybean(Bharath),etc and asked the farmers to preserve such crop varieties.

Dr.Pankaj Sood, Programme Coordinator, KVK highlighted major activities of his centre.

Drs.Kavita Sharma, Shakuntala Rahi, Dinesh Yadav, Laxmikant Sharma, Subhash and Rakesh Thakur also spoke about their respective specialization.Shri Kuldeep Chambial,Chariman,BDC  and Smt Kanta Devi,local Pardhan also expressed their  views.

An agriculture exhibition was also installed where the visiting farmers evinced keen interest. Some farmers also displayed seeds of traditional crop varieties. A large number of farmers and farm ladies from the local village and surrounding villages participated in the training programme.

A view of the dais and audience

 

 

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Last Updated: March 22, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/15 Dated:   March 22, 2016

Educate masses about scientific ways to conserve water: Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor

 Palampur 22 March.  Dr. K.K. Katoch, Vice Chancellor, CSK H.P. Agriculture University, has asked the scientists to educate the masses about scientific ways to conserve water. He, as Chief Guest, was addressing scientists and students during World Water Day celebrations, here today.

The Vice-Chancellor said that it was imperative to popularize the concept of watershed management so as to conserve and efficiently use the water for irrigation and other uses. He emphasized that all stakeholders should be educated about the judicious use of water because only around two and a half percent fresh water was available on earth for irrigation and other uses and rest of the water occurred in oceans which was saline in nature. Dr.Katoch also spoke on the role of water in food security, nutritional security and poverty alleviation. He said that water should be stored for future use and rapidly depleting ground water should be regularly recharged. He said that everybody should adopt such habits which save water in our daily domestic activities.

Dr.G.S.Hira, former additional director of research at Punjab Agricultural University and a known water expert, delivered a special lecture highlighting the consequences of fast depleting ground water in food bowl states of the nation. He said that the planners should seriously think about the food security of the country as water table has alarmingly gone down in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh which produce major cereals especially wheat and rice crops for the country. India was about to import 65 lakh tones of pulses whereas incentives should be given to farmers to produce pulses which require far less water than cereals. He also asked scientists to produce short duration high yielding crop varieties requiring less water.He also interacted with scientists.

Dr.Dinesh Badiyala, Dean, College of Agriculture said that the special lecture was organized as a part of golden jubilee year celebrations of his college. Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education said that farmers need to be educated about the importance of scientific use of irrigation water in different crops. Dr.S.P.Dixit, Head, Deptt of Soil Science , Dr.R.K.Gupta, Principal Scientist and Dr.Sanjay Kumar Sharma also expressed their views on the importance of water conservation.

The Chief Guest also gave certificates to the students who took part in soil science quiz to mark the occasion.

 

 

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Last Updated: March 18, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/14 Dated:   March 17, 2016

Audio CD on organic agriculture released at CSKHPAU

Palampur 17 March.  Dr. K.K. Katoch, Vice Chancellor, CSK H.P. Agriculture University, released an audio CD on organic agriculture, here today.

The CD of one hour recording consists of complete package on various aspects of organic farming by scientists of the Deptt. of Organic Agriculture. While appreciating the scientists for this maiden effort, the Vice-Chancellor expressed the hope that the CD would be of much use to the farming community of the State and beyond. Even the other stakeholders like officers form the State Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, etc and general masses will be benefitted with the contents of the audio CD on organic agriculture. Dr.J.P.Saini, Head, Deptt of Organic Agriculture and his team  including Drs. Sant Parkash, Rameshwar, Punam, Neelam Bhardwaj, Alok Shamra were present during the CD releasing ceremony.

The CD has special lectures on organic nutrient and pest management, organic crop production, organic animal husbandry, certification procedure,etc. and will be available in the Agriculture Technology Management Centre of the University in near future.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Director of Extension Education and Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Jt. Director(Information & Public Relations) were also present on the occasion

 

 

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Last Updated: March 10, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/12 Dated:   March 10, 2016

The Vice-Chancellor distributes   bucks to farmers from remote areas of H.P.

Palampur 10 March. With an aim to improve Gaddi goat productivity in Himachal Pradesh, Dr. K.K. Katoch,Vice Chancellor, CSK H.P. Agriculture University, distributed twenty four  bucks to twenty four  selected migratory Gaddi goat breeders  from Bharmaour, Bara Bhangal, Shahpur, Bandla, Rakh, Bir, Holi, Kandi, etc. at Dr.G.C.Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences(COVAS), here today.

The farmers were provided bucks under the 'All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement' by the  Gaddi Field Unit. Dr.Katoch  interacted with the Gaddi goat farmers to know their problems and suggested them to spot out the male gaddi goats having higher growth rate so that they could be incorporated in the project for increasing the overall productivity of gaddi goats.  He also appreciated the efforts of Dr.P.K.Dogra, Principal Investigator and his team of scientist including Drs. Pankaj Sood, Shivani Katoch, Varun Sankhyan, Ankur Sharma, Sidharth Thakur and Parveen Sharma for their continued work in the far- flung areas of Himachal Pradesh.

Dr. P.K. Dogra told that this project was operational in 18 centres throughout the country with basic objective of improving goat productivity. Under the project, approximately 1000 migratory goats have been registered and were being monitored throughout the year by providing breeding, health care and nutritional inputs. The male kids being produced were subjected to primary selection and on the basis of higher growth rate were purchased from the farmers and further reared at Palampur centre up to the age of sexual maturity. Thereafter second stage of selection was  done and the finally selected breeding bucks were distributed to the migratory Gaddi goat farmers for breed improvement at the field level.  The farmers were quite satisfied with the working of the project and thanked the University for addressing their problems. Dr. SS Kanwar, Director of Research; Dr. R.K. Agnihori, Dean COVAS; Dr. SK Sharma ,Associate Director Research and Dr. Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director(Information & Public Relations) were present on this occasion.

 

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Last Updated: March 09, 2016


Significant University Activities for the month of February 2016
MEDIA CELL

Key Highlights

 Research

 

Extension Education

 

Miscellaneous

 

Finance

 

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Last Updated: March 09, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/12 Dated: 8 March, 2016

International Women Day celebrated at CSKHPAU

Palampur 8 March. International Women Day was enthusiastically celebrated at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.  Ms.Shalini Agnihotri, ASP, Kangra, as Chief Guest, underlined that women should be respected each and every day. She asked the youngsters to take baby-steps for bigger positive changes in the society so that the country marches ahead in all spheres. She said that mistakes should be treated as learning experience and should never be repeated. Ms. Agnihotri, a former student of the university, recalled her studentship and offered to help all those aspirants who want to join police or other administrative services. She expressed the hope that the youngsters will come forward to shoulder the bigger responsibilities and make serous efforts to bring positivity in their surroundings.

Dr.Sumati Rekha Malhotra, Dean, College of Home Science, said that serious efforts should be made to bring gender equality in the society. Children should not be discriminated at home and should be made aware about the responsibilities. Drs Promila Kanwar and Sangita Sood also expressed their views. Some competitions were organized to mark the occasion.

Besides students and staff of the college, Dr R.K.Agnihotir, Dean, Dr.G.C.Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Dr.Jahnvi Shekhar, Students Welfare Officer, Dr.Yadvinder Singh Dhaliwal and Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director((Information & Public Relations) also attended the function.

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Last Updated: March 08, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/10 Dated: 28 Feb. , 2016

Joint Technology Review & Dissemination Committee Meeting at CSKHPAU

Palampur 2 March. Joint Technology Review and Dissemination Committee Meeting of five major farm universities of the region was held at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.  Besides, the host university, the representatives of Panjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana; CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar; Dr.Y.S.Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan and Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi attended the meeting and shared the information about latest technologies developed in their respective institutes for  the welfare of farming community and to avoid duplication in research work.

According to Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research, who chaired the meeting, performance and adaptability in their respective places of already shared material in the form of seeds of cereals, pulses, vegetables, oilseed and planting material of fruit crops and forestry trees was discussed.

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Last Updated: February 28, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/10 Dated: 28 Feb., 2016

National Science Day at CSKHPAU

Vice-Chancellor Dr.K.K.Katoch asks youngsters to pursue science for the benefit of mankind

Palampur 28 February. National Science Day was enthusiastically celebrated at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, as Chief Guest, recalled the contributions of Indian Physicist Sir C. V. Raman and lauded the efforts of all those great Indian scientists whose innovations and discoveries made country proud.  He said that due to various scientific discoveries the   life of common man has improved.

The Vice-Chancellor said that the country was surplus in food grains production due to large number of discoveries and developments in farm science and the country has  achieved several milestone in different spheres like medicine, communication, etc which has revolutionized theses sectors. He said that the period between the years 1895 to 1900 was considered a golden period for various scientific discoveries which ultimately proved a strong base for many future innovations and discoveries. He said that machines like JCB or traffic light management system, etc were used for the benefit of common man.

He told that his university was giving a boost to scientific temper by organizing inspire camps for the school children who were motivated to adopt science as a career. Around 2200 students from various schools of Himachal Pradesh have attended such camps. He also elaborated about the various innovations in the areas of agriculture and allied sciences and asked the students to pursue science for the benefit of mankind.

Dr.SPS Kushwaha, a well known scientist and retired dean from Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) delivered a key note address on remote sensing technology. He elaborated about the discoveries and innovations by ISRO in the areas of satellite imagery which have simplified the work of many departments. Mr.Krishan Gopal Butail, a leading tea planter told about the simple innovations which transformed his simple farming to a buzzing entrepreneurship. He emphasized the importance of ‘Make in India’  initiatives by the government.

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research, underlined the theme of ‘Raise Public Appreciation for Scientific Issues for the Development of Nation.” Dr.Pawan Mehta, Dean, College of Agriculture also spoke on the importance of farm science.

 Some competitions were organized to mark the occasion.  Ms. Garima Pant from College of Home Science(COHS) was awarded first prize in poster making and second and third  prizes were bagged by  Messers  Gobind Garg  and Gulshan from Dr.GCN College of Veterinary & Animal Science(COVAS) . In skit competition,  Mr.Gaurav Bhalla and his team from  Dr.GCN COVA bagged first position , second position went to Mr.Sahil and team from COHS and third position was captured by  Mr.Sahil Guleria and team from College of Basic Sciences.

All the statutory officers, teaching and non teaching staff and students attend the National Science Day celebrations.

Director of Research welcoming Vice-Chancellor

A view of dais and audience

students receive prizes

 

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Last Updated: February 26, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/09 Dated: 26 Feb. , 2016

 

CSK H.P. Agriculture University starts selling organic vegetables through ATIC

 

Palampur 26 February. CSK H.P. Agriculture University today took an initiative to make available organic produce to the consumers. On the directions of  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, the Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) situated near the entrance of main gate of the university on Palampur-Baijnath road, have created a separate section for the organic produce of the university which is being made available at very reasonable rates. Initially,  the seasonal vegetables will be available which were being produced in the Deptt. of Organic Agriculture. Gradually more products will be added.

 

The Vice-Chancellor today visited the ATIC and inspected the functioning of the ATIC and advised that more products from various departments be added for the benefit of consumers. He also asked to popularize organic products, especially among the local residents who could easily purchase these from the ATIC. Mr.Manoj Kumar, Rgistrar; Dr.Aul, Director of Extension Education; Dr.J.P.Saini, Head, Deptt of Organic Agriculture and some other scientists were present during the visit of Vice-Chancellor to ATIC.


It will be worthwhile to mention that ATIC acts as a single window service to the farmers and consumers where all university farm produce and improved seeds and technology was available. High quality turmeric, organic tea, soy biscuits, soy nuts, vinegar, animal feed, mineral mixture, seeds of vegetables and other crops, farm literature, stationary  for trainings etc. was available in the ATIC, besides useful information about farming was provided to the farmers in person and on phone.

 

The university was very first in the country to establish the department of organic agriculture in the year 2009 and is considered a pioneer in research on different aspects of organic farming. The university organizes trainings to farm officers, scientists and farmers to acquaint them with various aspects of farming like preparation of different inputs like organic compost, bio pesticides, etc. The university will also organize a seminar on zero budget farming in the last week of April.

 

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Last Updated: February 15, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/08 Dated: 13 Feb. , 2016

Camp Regional Research Sub-station, Salooni(Chamba)

Shrimati Asha Kumari inaugurates a training programme at Salooni

Salooni (Chamba) 13 February. A  two days training programme for the farmers of the area was jointly organised by Regional Research Sub-station of CSK H.P. Agriculture University and Agricultural Technology Management Agency(ATMA), Chamba , here today,

Smt. Asha Kumari, former minister and local MLA, as Chief Guest asked the farming community to use modern scientific technology to increase their farm production and increase income. She said that the government initiated a large number of schemes and programmes for the benefit of farmers and they need to take advantage of such programmes. She also appreciated the efforts of Farm University and department of agriculture for doing commendable work to enhance farm production in the Salooni area where the farmers were generating a revenue to the tune of Rs. Twenty five crore annually by quality vegetable production. However, she asked the University to post vegetable specialists and other experts to help the farmers. She also underlined the importance of educating farmers in marketing, seed conservation of traditional varieties, etc.

While presiding over the function, Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor, said that Chamba district has got lot of potential due to presence of  varied agro-climatic zones. As the farming community was using very low dose of fertilizers and chemicals so they were contributing to the society by producing safe food. He advocated protected cultivation, water conservation and protection of plant varieties. He said that as per the demand of the farming community through State Government and chief guest, the university will shortly post three scientists in its local research station  to cater to the farm needs of the district. He also announced to adopt Dhand village and informed that the scientists will educate farmers for marketing, etc.

Dr.Atul, Director Extension Education informed that the university was conducting a large number of trainings for the benefit of farming community.

Dr.Hans Raj, Subject Matter Specialist, informed about various activities of  the Deptt of  Agriculture.Dr.Anil Kumar, Incharge of Regional Research Sub-station,Sh Dharam Singh Pathania, Chairman, Zila Parishad also expressed their views.

Mohinder Singh, Chairman, Block Development Samiti and Kamal Thakur, Vice-Chairman, BDC,Salooni,  Smt. Rekha Thakur, Pardhan, local Panchayat, and a large number of  farmers from Salooni and surrounding villages were present in the inaugural ceremony of the training programme.Chief Guest Smt Asha Kumari also honoured a dozen progressive farmers.

A view of the dais and audience

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: February 02, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/07 Dated: 1 Feb 2016

 

COA organizes a lecture on Biotechnology

 

Palampur 1 February. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK H.P. Agriculture University has appreciated the role of biotechnology in agriculture. He, as Chief Guest, was addressing a galaxy of farm scientists and students at the College of Agriculture (COA), here today.

The Vice-Chancellor said that biotechnology has been able to give a push in crop production through various innovative techniques. He cited the examples of two crop varieties Pusa Jai Kisan in case of Sarson and Phule Savitri in case of sugarcane for increased production. He said that tissue culture technology has helped in germplasm conservation of endangered plant species. 

T.R.Sharma, Director, National Research Center on Plant Biotechnology, an alumnus of the COA, in his special lecture on Agricultural Biotechnology: From Genome to Gene and Genotype" highlighted importance of genomics in discovering genes of agronomic importance and their utilization in developing high yielding crop varieties citing a specific example of rice blast resistance gene. He also informed achievements of his centre.
Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research, highlighted the achievements of the university in the area of biotechnology. Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean, COA said that his college was celebrating its Golden Jubilee Year and this lecture was part of the series of lectures to mark the occasion.

Scientist and postgraduate students were present during the lecture.

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: January 27, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/07 Dated: 27Jan , 2016

            Glimpses of Republic Day Celebrations in the University

Republic Day was celebrated enthusiastically in the University. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor unfurled the National Flag and took salute form the NCC contingent. He also addressed the staff and appreciated the Students’ Welfare Organization for organizing the function and NCC cadets for the impressive parade. Some glimpses of the Republic Day celebrations in the University:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last Updated: January 23, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/06Dated: 23 Jan , 2016

 

Media Visit  to the Deptt of Veterinary Gynecology & Obstetrics

CSKHPAU scientists take lead in India in laparoscopic diagnosis of reproductive problems in cows

 

Palampur 23 January. The Media Cell organized a visit to the Department of Veterinary Gynecology & Obstetrics, Dr. G.C.Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,CSK H.P. Agriculture University , here  today. Dr. Navneet Vasishta, Professor and Head; Dr. Madhumeet Singh, Professor; Drs. Amit Sharma and r. Pravesh Kumar, both Assistant Professor interacted with reporters and answered to their various questions.

The scientists told the visiting reporters about their major activities. It was informed that laparoscopic diagnosis of reproductive problems in cows has been started for the first time in India by this department. This latest work started in the department is providing advanced information of abnormalities of reproductive system of cows. Work has been done successfully for the first time in country to diagnose patency of fallopian tubes of cows with laparoscope, which was otherwise difficult to be diagnosed.

It was informed that being a clinical department, this department provides clinical facilities to the farmers of Himachal Pradesh in the areas of Female Infertility, Obstetrics and Andrology.

This department has bagged 10 research projects in the  last five  years worth 330.5 lac (3.305 crore) rupees. The main emphasis of research has been to study the reproductive problems of cows and buffaloes reared by farmers of Himachal Pradesh and also of abandoned cows. The area of these studies has been entire State with an aim to conduct research on epidemiology, etiology, management and suggesting curative measures for various reproductive disorders prevalent in different agro climatic zones of the State.

During a study by this department under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) project on reproductive status of abandoned cows maintained in various Gosadans and possibilities of treating those, 55% had reproductive problems. Further it was found that out of allreproductive problems in abandoned cows, 50.00% were caused by technical errors committed by personals handling genitalia, of which only 13% were treatable. Whereas, 40% reproductive problems in these abandoned cows were suspected to be due to managerial  problems like poor feeding by owner. However, a much higher post treatment recovery rate of 44% was recorded in these cows with managerial problems. Irrespective of the reasons, overall treatable percentage of various reproductive ailments was 23%.  

As this study indicated that a very high incidence of genital tract ailments in abandoned cows was associated with injuries/technical errorsattributed to the faulty Artificial Insemination (AI) technique, there was felt a need to improve the skill of personnel involved in AI programme of the state. As majority of AI is performed by Veterinary Pharmacists due to the shortage of doctors in state Animal Husbandry Department, it was decided to impart refresher training to working Veterinary Pharmacists. Overall 729 pharmacists were refreshed in 31 refresher training between years 2012 and 2014.

It was also informed that the department was rendering specialized services to the farmers of the State for treatment of various reproductive disorders. Since year 2013, scientists from department have organized 125 infertility treatment camps under RKVY project in all parts of Himachal Pradesh, including 32 camps in tribal areas of Pangi, Bharmour, Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur and also some very remote locations like trans-giri villages of Sirmour, Dodra-Kwar (Shimla), Janjehli (Mandi), Barsheni (Kullu) and Kihar (Chamba) etc. More than 2500 animals with reproductive ailments have been examined and treated in these camps. Blood samples and uterine discharge samples have been collected from around 800 animals for detailed investigations of various diseases. All diagnostic facilities including hormonal, mineral and biochemical estimations in blood and also microbiological investigations of uterine discharge exist in the department.These camps will be continued in future also.

A very positive result of pharmacist trainings imparted has emerged from the data generated from infertility camps. In majority of cows, repeat breeding in general and endometritis in particular are responsible for animals not conceiving and mainly caused by inefficient inseminators. While comparing data of camps organized in years 2013 and 2014, with the camps organized in 2015, it was found that incidence of repeat breeding has decreased by 10% and endometritis alone has decreased by 7%. This decrease can be attributed to improved technical skills of pharmacists imparted refresher training. There is a hope that if the same trend of improvement continues then the number of cows abandoned by owners due to reproductive problems may also decrease.

Being a very important Sheep breed of Himachal Pradesh, reproductive behavior and genital disease pattern in Gaddi sheep has been studied and documented by the department under RKVY. Presently department is also working on another research project to analysis obstetrical interventions in animals suffering from difficult birth in different parts of Himachal Pradesh under same project. 

Dr.S.K.Sharma, officiating Dean of the College; Dr. Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director(Information & Public Relations) and post graduate students of the department were present during the Media Visit.

 

Pic captions: A view of laparoscopic diagnosis facility and Scientists interacting with Media

 

 

 

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Last Updated: January 20, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/05 Dated:19 Jan , 2016

 

CSKHPAU to help students and young farmers in taking advantage of Start-up India, Stand-up India initiatives

 

Palampur 19 January. "Each professor must motivate a student to take advantage of Start-up India and Stand- up India initiatives of the Govt. of India", said Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor while addressing the statutory officers, here today.

The Vice-Chancellor said that the purpose of this initiative was to ignite the entrepreneurship among the youth of our country with a large number of incentives like registration through an App, self certification, tax relief, patent protection, etc. and there were nineteen plans to choose. There was a budget of Rs.Ten thousand crore and seven research parks will be developed with an outlay of  Rs. hundred crore for each park.  He asked the Director of Research to screen university research work for innovations and asked the Deans to interact with senior students and encourage them to identify the innovations for Start- ups. Similarly the Director of Extension Education can identify the young farmers and livestock keepers for Start- ups in areas like marketing of organic produce as there were thirty thousand farmers engaged in organic farming but were finding it difficult to market their produce. There were many enterprises like production of quality planting material, value addition and processing, use of underutilized fibres, organic dyes, Mushroom processing unit , raising of rainbow trout in lower belt,  high quality animal production and product development,  bee products other than honey like bee-venom; bee wax, royal jelly, etc. which can be taken up by the youngsters.

He said that the Human Resource Development and Placement Cell of the university can train its students in certain areas to take advantage of these initiatives. The university may consider gifting some of its technologies to its students to take advantage of Start-up India and Stand-up India programmes. 

All Deans, Directors and other statutory officers took part in the meeting.

 

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Last Updated: January 19, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

  QSD/MC/04 Dated:13 Jan , 2016

 

Vice-Chancellor Dr.K.K.Katoch inaugurates training on Personality Development

 

Palampur 13 January. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, inaugurated a two days training programme on personality development for the students at College of Agriculture, here today.

Stressing the importance of 'healthy body, healthy mind'; the Vice-Chancellor advised the students to effectively manage their time to improve their personality and imbibe good qualities like hard work, consistency, never give up attitude, focus and determination. He said that one must not lose self confidence and should always have a positive attitude to manage day to day stress in life. He also wanted that more  students should excel in national level competitions to bring name and fame to the university. He informed that he would like to get feedback from all the participating  students after the training programme.

Dr.Jahnvi Shekhar, Students' Welfare Officer, told that to sharpen the communication and other skills, two days training for personality development has been organised by inviting experts from Bangalore and final year students from all the constituent colleges will be trained in three batches. He expressed the hope that the training will hone efficiency of students to manage their personal and professional life.

Dr.P.K.Mehta,Dean, College of Agriculture, said that such trainings were helpful to the students to face interviews with added confidence. He complimented the Human Resource Development and Placement Cell of the Students' Welfare Organisation for conducting the training.

Dr.Ravinder Singh Chandel, Programme Director, Human Resource Development and Placement Cell, informed that 86 students from the College of Agriculture and College of Home Science were taking part in the programme. A session for the teachers has also been planned.

Ms.Radha, Chief Executive Officer and trainer from Smart Series Bangalore and Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director (Information & Public Relations) attended the inaugural ceremony.

 

 

 A view of the dais and participants

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Last Updated: January 11, 2016

Media Cell

Press Release

 

CSKHPAU scientists issue advisory for the control of yellow rust in wheat crop

 

Palampur 8 January. The scientists of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University have advised the farmers to visit their wheat fields regularly and observe the crop critically for the appearance of   yellow rust in the form of yellow coloured pustules and powdery mass in stripes on leaves, especially under trees and in moist pockets. They have stressed that those farmers who have sown wheat varieties HD 2967 and HD 3086 should be more vigilant for the appearance of this disease. Further, the scientists have advised that the farmers must spray their crop with propiconazole 25 EC (Tilt 25 EC or Shine 25 EC) by making a solution of 30 ml fungicide in 30 litre  water or tabuconazole @ 0.05% by making a solution of 15 ml fungicide in 30 litre of water adding one spoon of sticker or NIRMA powder or  Lassi (traditional butter milk) and spraying per Kanal immediately after seeing the symptoms and repeat it after 15 days.

 

 

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Last Updated: January 6, 2016

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/02 Dated: 6 Jan , 2016

Press Release

 

Vice-Chancellor Dr.K.K.Katoch inaugurates inter-college Youth Festival

 

Palampur 6 January. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, inaugurated an inter-college youth festival here today.

He said that such events provided a platform for the students to express their creativity, which was a must to excel in life. He suggested that a competition of 'Akshar Shalokam' be added to the events where the students may find and recite 'shaloka' related to agriculture,, livestock, rural life, etc. This will generate interest of students in our old age rich literature and help in reviving glory of our enriched past. The Vice-Chancellor said that the youth was full of energy which needed channelization for the development of country. He advised the students and participants to work hard and reap the dividends later.

Dr.Jahnvi Shekhar, Students' Welfare Officer, told that   around 150 students from four constituent colleges will be taking part in seventeen items like  Music, Dances, Theatre and Literary competitions.

Earlier the Vice-Chancellor lit the lamp and declared the youth festival open. The ceremony started by playing the University Anthem followed by Sarswati Vandna by the girl students.

All the statutory officers, heads, teaching and non-teaching staff and students attended the inaugural ceremony.

 

 

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Last Updated: January 1, 2016

 


New Year address by the Vice-Chancellor

 

Dr.K.K.Katoch exhorts staff to help the farmers to Double the Income

 

Palampur 1 January. Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University has  exhorted the staff to work on the  concept  of  'Double the Income(DTI)'  in addition to discharging their mandatory duties of teaching, research and extension education. He was addressing the university staff on the occasion of New Year.

The Vice-Chancellor told that despite tremendous financial support from the State Govt, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other funding agencies, the university need to increase its domestic income and also help in doubling the income of farming community. He asked the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)and other units to submit projects like seed production programme, value addition in farm produce, beekeeping, etc.

He told that a mega State level Kisan Mela will be organized in mid-March where progressive farmers will share their success stories and interact with scientists. Another workshop on zero budget farming also known as natural farming will be held in end April. He expressed his satisfaction over successful organization of convocation and informed that online admission process has been successful and will be improved further this year. He told that construction work on Rs. Five crore girls' hostel has started as the number of girl students was increasing every year. It will house 108 girls including 24 foreign students. He appreciated the students for their magnificent performance in various national level competitions and attributed it to the quality teaching in the university. Video-conferencing facility has been created for conducting viva-voce examination where experts from all over the world will be available to conduct the examination.

He also appreciated the good research work and asked the scientists to work on cutting edge technologies and include risk factor in their research proposals. Effort has been made to address the needs of farmers and farming in research topics of post graduate students also . He also appreciated the extension education activities and told that a special task force on protected cultivation has been formed to repair poly houses and train two farmers from each block of the State on these aspects. He said that veterinary scientists were organizing clinical camps in remote and less accessible areas and the Veterinary Emergency Response Unit was attending to emergencies. Last year, over fifteen thousand farmers participated in 515 trainings and around 6000 farmers visited the University and KVKs

The Vice-Chancellor asked the staff to work with dedication for the welfare of farming community of the state. All the statutory officers, heads of departments, teaching and non-teaching employees and post graduate students attended the programme in the university auditorium.

 

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Last Updated: December 25, 2015

 

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/89 Dated: 24 Dec , 2015

Press Release

SAC at KVK, Dhaulakuan

Poly house technology a boon for the farmers: Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor

Dhaulakuan(Nahan) 24 December. A scientific advisory committee (SAC) meeting of local KrishiVigyan Kendra(KVK) of CSK H.P. Agriculture University was held here today. While chairing the meeting, Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor, said that KVK has done good work in popularising vegetables production in the district and the university would guide the farmers for registration of   ginger(Sonth) under geographic indicators.The Vice-Chancellor told that the state was comfortable in the area of food crops  production but there was need to concentrate in the production of pulses and oilseed crops. He said that Poly house technology was a boon for the farmers and the university was actively working to solve the problems associated with this type of farming. Recently, a task force has been formed in the university to repair damaged poly houses and the department of agriculture has been asked to send two interested persons from each block  to get training from the university for the benefit of farmers.The Vice-Chancellor said that his university would organise a seminar on natural farming from 26-30 April to popularise it and asked the progressive farmers to attend it. He also spoke on the importance of growing such crops which were not damaged by the wild animals, including monkeys. He said that it was necessary to keep animals healthy by animal management, proper feeding etc. He also discussed news programmes like soil health cards, Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav,etc. and asked the farmers to give exact feedback to scientists so that they may work on new problem.Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education while elaborating about various extension activities welcomed the useful suggestions by the member progressive farmers. He informed that the University would organise Farmers'-Scientist Congress in mid- March where they would share their success stories. He also spoke on the importance of judicious use of chemicals in crops. He also spoke on the emerging challenges for the farming. Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research, appreciated the good work of KVK and highlighted the issues like water management by drip irrigation with fertigation, cropping system to manage the problems of monkey menace, marketing of farm produce, application of culture in pulses, protected cultivation, etc. He also detailed research activities for the benefit of farmers.Dr.Anirudh Manchanda, Programme coordinator, KVK briefed about major activities undertaken in the past and work to be done in the near future.Drs.Pankaj Mittal and Sangita Attri also expressed their views. The Vice-Chancellor also released four farm publications by the KVK scientists. He also launched farmers' page on the KVK's website.District level officers of the agricultural and rural development departments, progressive farmer members of SAC like Ravi Swarup, Ved Parkash, Kundan Shastri and Shakuntla Devi  actively participated in the meeting.Earlier, Dr K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor visited  experimental farms of University's Regional Research  Station and KVK  and sought details about the on-going research work from Dr.Dhanbir Singh, Associate Director and Dr.Anirudh Manchanda, Programme Coordinator KVK and gave instructions to them. Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research; Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director(Information &Public Relations) and scientists of station and KVK were  present on the occasion.

Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor visiting experimental farms 

A views of dais & participating SAC members

Chief Guest releasing publications

 

 

Last Updated: December 23, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/88 Dated: 22 Dec , 2015

Press Release

SAC at KVK,Una Onus to produce more on farmers and scientists: Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor Una 22 December. A scientific advisory committee (SAC) meeting of local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of CSK H.P. Agriculture University was held here today. While chairing the meeting, Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor, said that steps were being taken for better convergence of all concerned departments and agencies working for the socio-economic development of farmers at district level. The Vice-Chancellor said that onus to produce more from ever decreasing farm land was on the scientists and farming community as population was increasing. The Vice-Chancellor said that his university would organise a seminar on natural farming in end April. He said the justification and utility of poly house farming in Una district needs to be debated and told that climate change was bound to adversely affect crop production so judicious use of water was a must. He informed that a task force has been formed to repair damaged poly houses and the department of agriculture has been asked to send interested persons to get training from the university for the benefit of farmers. He also cautioned farmers against excessive use of chemicals in the crops. The Vice-Chancellor also spoke on the importance of increasing production of oilseeds and pulses. He also discussed issues like value addition, marketing, good agricultural practices, soil health cards, etc. He said that technology generated by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) Ludhiana was to be adopted in toto in the adjoining plain areas of Himachal Pradesh. He appreciated the participation of Scientists from KVKs of PAU at Ropar and Hoshiarpur. Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education said that all members ought to spread the messages of new scientific technology among other farmers of the district. He asked the farmers to remain in touch with the university and it’s all KVKs and research stations to solve their farm related problmes. He said that it was imperative to associate younger generation with the farming He also elaborated about various extension education activities and asked the farmers to adopt exact techniques. He told that the University would organise Farmers-Scientist Congress in mid March. Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research, said that Una was predominantly irrigated area based on ground water comparing it to other districts of the State. He cautioned farmers about the depleting water table. He also touched issues like imbalanced use of fertilizers and asked the farmers to use fertilizers based on the soil health cards. He also detailed research activities for the benefit of farmers. Dr.A.R.Khan, Programme coordinator, KVK briefed about major activities undertaken in the past and work to be done in the near future. Drs.Arvind Kumar and Sanjay Sharma also expressed their views. District level officers of the agricultural and rural development departments, progressive farmer members of SAC and for the first time, Scientist Incharges of KVK, Ropar and KVK,Hoshiarpur of Panjab Agricultural University Ludhiana also actively participated in the meeting. Earlier, Dr K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor visited University’s Regional Research Sub Station, Akrot(Una) and sought details about the on-going research work from Dr.Bipan Sharma, Scientist Incharge. Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research; Dr. Atul, Director of Extension Education and Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director(Information & Public Relations) were present on the occasion.

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Last Updated: December 19, 2015

Media Cell No QSD/MC/88 Dated:18 Dec.,2015

Press Release

Workshop on Sanrakshit Kheti avam Prashikshan (.pdf format)

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Last Updated: December 16, 2015

Media Cell 

No QSD/MC/86 Dated:15 Dec.,2015

Press Release

Workshop on Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa  at Shimla

Shimla/Palampur The Centre for Geo-Informatics Research and Training, CSKHPKV, Palampur organized one day workshop on Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa  at Shimla in collaboration with Indian Meeorological Deptt. Delhi and HP.  The meeting was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Dr. K.K. Katoch . Speaking on the occasion Dr. KK Katoch said that the primary objective of the workshop is to apprise about the outputs of operational projects being executed by various agencies including CSKHPKV, Palampur for the benefit of farmers. He  said that  the  operational venture of IMD on the crop yield forecasting at district scale is crucial for proper planning for crop production prospects and policy making in the agricultural sector at regional and country level. The project on "Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agrometeorology and Land based observations (FASAL)" is providing district level yield forecasts for maize and wheat at present for Himachal Pradesh and further it would be extended to nine other crops including horticultural crops in future. Dr B.P.Singh, Director, Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, and Dr. A.K.Baxla IMD, New Delhi was the guest of honour in the programme spoke on the weather forecasting in details.  Dr. S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research highlighted  the contributions of Agriculture University, Palampur  in weather forecasting.. Mr Manmohan Singh, Director, Meteorological centre, Shimla was the special invitee in this function. In addition regional met centre, IMD of North zone and various representatives of the departments of Himachal Pradesh wewre present to grace the occasion.Speaking on the occasion convener of the workshop DR. R.S. Rana said that the primary objective of the workshop was to apprise about the outputs of operational projects being executed by various agencies including CSKHPKV, Palampur for the benefit of farmers and further scale up for other sectors. However to enhance the accuracy, dissemination and customisation of forecasts products, feed back from line departments is essential to maximize the benefits for end users.  Dr. R.S. Rana said that a project entitled "Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) funded by India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES) is providing five days weather forecasts which is used for providing weather based agro-advisories and forewarning to farmers at district level through various electronic and print media. However to enhance the accuracy, dissemination and customisation of forecasts products feed back from line departments is essential to maximize the benefits for end users.

 

Last Updated: December 14, 2015

 

CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur

Camp Krishi Vigyan Kendra,Berthin (Bilaspur)

No QSD/MC/86 Dated:11 Dec.,2015

Press Release

SAC at KVK,Berthin

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor appreciated convergence between KVKs and ATMA

Berthin(Bilaspur) 11 December . A scientific advisory committee meeting of local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University was held, here today. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while chairing the meeting appreciated the excellent coordination between KVKs and Agricultural Technological Management Agency (ATMA) at district level .

He said that district Bilaspur was known for pulse production and has also earned name for poly house cultivation, animal husbandry, etc but keeping in view the ill effects of global warming, the scientist and farmers should explore the options of alternative crops also. He told that his university will organize a specialized training for poly house repair and maintenance .Similarly , training for tractor driving can be arranged for the farmers.

The Vice-Chancellor also advocated for mega demonstration unit for the benefit of all farmers in each block and asked the scientists and farm officers to involve press for dissemination of useful technologies to the farming community. He also cautioned the farmers for indiscriminate use of chemicals in crops. He also spoke on the importance of water conservation, farm mechanization, etc and informed about organization of a farmer-science congress in March at his university.

Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, elaborated about various extensions education activities and asked the farming community to maintain a live link with the university and its KVKs and research stations for guidance. He told that the university will prepare a directory of useful numbers and contacts for farmers.

Dr. Kuldeep Singh Verma, Programme coordinator, KVK, presented a report of activities undertaken in the past and future plans. Dr. Ravinder Kumar  also expressed  his  views .Five farm publications were released by Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor. District level Officers from various development departments from Bilaspur and progressive farmers actively participated in the meeting.

 

 

 

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Last Updated: December 10, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/85 Dated: 10 Dec , 2015

Press Release

Challenge to produce more  for increasing population on decreasing farm land: Dr.K.K.Katoch

Sunadarnagar 10 December.  A scientific advisory committee meeting of the local Krishi Vigyan Kendra(KVK) of CSK H.P. Agriculture University, was held here today.

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while chairing the meeting said that the importance of farming was ever increasing as the population was increasing and there was challenge to produce more from ever decreasing farm land. He  said that the joint efforts of progressive farmers, the farm university and State Deptt of Agriculture has made  Himachal Pradesh self sufficient on food front. The Vice-Chancellor told that the university would organize a four day s seminar on zero budget farming from 27-30 April at Palampur and invited the farmers to share their experiences and learn from the experts. He also advocated growing of pulses and also spoke on the importance of trained manpower for poly house repair and upkeep, food processing, animal husbandry ,etc.

Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, asked the KVK scientists to test innovations of progressive farmers on scientific basis and said that  major and micro nutrients have depleted from the soil due to high intensity farming and there was need for soil testing. The soil health card can help farmers to rejuvenate the fatigued soils by addition of required fertilizers and nutrients.

Dr.Pankaj Sood, Programme Coordinator, KVK, informed about major achievements and future programmes. Dr. Kavita Sharma and Shakuntla Rahi also expressed their views.

District level officers from the departments of agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, etc and   members actively participated in the meeting.

The Vice-Chancellor chairing the SAC meeting and a view of participants

 

 

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Last Updated: December 09, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/84 Dated: 9 Dec , 2015

Press Release

SAC meeting at KVK, Bajaura

 

The farm varsity to help in making Kullu cannabis free: Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, HPAU

 

Bajaura(Kullu) 9 December. A scientific advisory committee meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra(KVK) of CSK H.P. Agriculture University  was held  here today. Chairing the meeting,  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, declared that the university will play an active role to provide alternative  remunerative crops to the  farmers of all those areas in the Kullu district which were growing cannabis. He said that the university has constituted a committee which will visit Malana and all such remote areas where cannabis was being grown and after a detailed study will provide not only high value medicinal crops to the farmers but will also give a policy document to the government for appropriate decisions.

He told that the university and its all Krishi Vigyan Kendras and research stations  were effectively working for the socio economic development of the farming community and were getting full support from the State Department of Agriculture , State Deptt. of Animal Husbandry and all those agencies which were working for rural development. Dr Katoch advised that demonstrations should be organised on various aspects and problems so that the progressive farmers may learn various farm related skills  by doing and may also further train other farmers in their villages. He also discussed issues of global warming, soil and water conservation, resilience farming, protected cultivations, importance of pulses and animal husbandry. He directed the KVK staff to make at least one village animal disease free in Kullu district.

Dr.Atul, Director Extension Education, told that the University will organise a three days Kisan Mela at Plampur in March where progressive farmers will be invited to share their success stories. He said that university has recently distributed more than 550 soil health cards in the State. He also elaborated about various extension activities.

Dr.R.S.Jamwal , Associate Director, Regional Research Station,  said that it was imperative to follow crop rotations to save nutrients in the soil. He said that the station and KVK has been able to motive farmers for crop diversification in Kullu but the indiscriminate use of chemical was a cause of concern.

Dr.S.K.Thakur, Programme Coordinator, KVK while detailing activities told that his KVK was adjudged best KVK in North Zone by the Indian Council Agricultural Research recently. He also elaborated about future programmes.

Representatives of various departments and  of the State Govt and agricultural institutions of the Govt of India in district Kullu and some progressive farmers actively participated  in the meeting.

 

 Dr. K.K.Katoch, VC chairing the SAC meeting and a view of participants

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Last Updated: December 07, 2015

Media Cell 

 

Significant University Activities for the month of  November 2015

Key Highlights

Research

Extension Education

Miscellaneous

Finance

 

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Last Updated: December 05, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/83 Dated: 5 Dec , 2015

Press Release

CSKHPAU distributes five hundred soil health cards to mark  'World Soil Day'

Palampur  5 December. CSK H.P. Agriculture University celebrated 'World Soil Day' by distributing over five hundred soil health cards to the farmers. Around fifty cards were distributed in a programme at University here  and rest of the cards were distributed through its eight Krishi Vigyan Kendras in different districts in the State, today.

Prof. Atul, Director of Extension Education, as Chief Guest asked the soil health card recipient farmers to remain in touch with soil scientists of the University for guidance during crop seasons. He told that Soil Health Cards contained all the information of the farmer including the fertilizer recommendations for predominant crops grown in the area with straight as well as the complex fertilizers in Hindi. He told that the country has 1244 soil testing laboratories and the University soil testing laboratory was one of the best in the region.

Dr. S.S. Kanwar, Director of Research, said that soil was a living system but over exploitation of soil has fatigued it and it needed replenishment with requisite nutrients. He expressed the hope that soil health cards would enable the farmers to manage it scientifically. He told that health of soil affects human health so it required adequate attention and care. He said that information in soil health cards will be very helpful to the farmers in applying the balanced fertilizers including secondary and micronutrients.

Dr. PK Mehta, Dean, College of Agriculture, remarked that soil provided plenty of sources for the ecosystem and was reservoir of biodiversity. He informed that the students of his college had launched soil testing campaign with the message to conserve and preserve soils. He said that application of balanced fertilizers will not only help in maintaining and improving the soil health but will save the costly inputs and protect the environment.

Dr.(Mrs) Usha Kiran Chopra, a retired  Principal Scientist, Division of Agricultural Physics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute , New Delhi as  a key speaker, enlightened about the importance of soil health cards, soil quality and soil sustainability. She told that for good soil health, integration of physical, chemical and biological properties was a must. She said that healthy soils were required for healthy and quality food.

Dr. SP Dixit, Head of the Department of Soil Science elaborated about the genesis and importance of ‘International Year of Soil’ and ‘World Soil Day’.

 Drs. Raj Pal Sharma and Sanjay Sharma also expressed their views. Chief Gust Dr.Atul and key speaker Dr Usha Kiran Chopra distributed soil health cards to around fifty farmers of nearby villages of Bandvihar, Padhiarkhar,Bandla,Banuri, Sungal and Draman.

Dr.S.P.Sharma, Dean, Post Graduate Studies; Dr.R.K.Agnihotri, Dean, Dr. GC Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Dr.K.S.Thakur, Librarian, Dr. Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director(Information & Public Relations), Heads, Scientists and students also attended the World Soil Day.

 

A view of dais

 

Dr.Atul distributing Soil Health Card to a farmer

 

Farmers with Chief Guest and others audience --

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh Jt.Director(Info & PR) CSK H.P.Agri.University Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: December 04, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/82 Dated: 4 Dec , 2015

Press Release

Women in Agriculture Day celebrated at CSKHPAU

Palampur  4 December. 'Women in Agriculture Day' was celebrated enthusiastically at CSK H.P. Agriculture University here today. The College of Agriculture, as a part of its Golden Jubilee Year lecture series, organized a special lecture to commemorate the day.

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research, as Chief Guest, underlined the importance of providing access to resources to farm women to increase opportunities for them. He said that there were not many women friendly tools, especially in hill states like Himachal Pradesh although  57 percent women play an active role in Agriculture here. He also wanted that number of women extension workers should be more to interact freely with farm  women for effective transfer of technology. Dr.Kanwar said that farm women were backbone of rural economy without any recognition but to  move towards nutritional sensitive  agriculture, the role of women should not go unsung.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean, College of Agriculture, as Guest of Honour, informed that his college teachers were motivating the school students to adopt agriculture as a career resulting girl students outnumbering boys in his college. He lamented  that gender issues have not received adequate attention.

Dr.Usha Kiran Chopra, a retired Principal Scientists from Indian Agricultural  Research Institute , New Delhi, as a keynote  speaker , told that farm women need ownership of land, education, training ,legal rights and  access to credit which can accelerate farm growth in the country. She informed that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has established National Centre for Women in Agriculture in the year 1996 which has been upgraded to Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, this year. She advocated the need to popularize new farm technology among rural and farm women. Dr.Chopra wanted that women should be an essential part of policy making and   efforts should be made to retain professional women when due to family obligations they were made to quit. Drs. Vedna Kumari and Sonia Sood also expressed their views.

Staff and students attended the programme.

 

 

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Last Updated: December 01, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/81  Dated  30 Nov, 2015

Press Release

Photo News

Glimpses of Radiance

Palampur 30 November.The students and staff of the College of Home Science organized a cultural evening Radiance: Home Science Nite 2K15 on 29 November. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor was Chief Guest. He appreciated the efforts of students and also distributed  prizes to the students. Dr.Rekha Malhotra, Dean, College of Home Science also expressed her views. Some of the glimpses of Radiance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last Updated: November 16, 2015

 

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/75  Dated  16 Nov, 2015

Press Release

 

The Vice-Chancellor resolves issues of foreign students during a   meeting of International Coordination Cell

Palampur  16 Nov. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK H.P. Agriculture University , said that all requisite facilities will be provided to the foreign students to facilitate their studies and stay at his University. He was chairing a joint meeting of the Monitoring and Guidance and Executive Committee of International Coordination Cell (ICC), here today.

 While addressing the members and some foreign students, Dr.K.K.Katoch said that the University will enable the foreign students to return with added confidence and enriched technical knowledge to serve their respective counties efficiently. He asked the students to put extra labour and time to improve their academic and language related deficiencies and come at par with their classmates.  He told that the University had opened a gateway for international collaborations in the areas of teaching, research and extension education activities with the intention to invite students from all over the world and send some of the students for higher studies to international institutes. The University has, already, developed a protocol and created quality facilities for providing top class education to the students. Besides, memorandum of understandings (MOU) with foreign and top institutes in the country will help the University in sharing research and extension education and would also enhance the visibility of the University activities in the foreign lands.

The Vice-Chancellor also asked the convenor and members of ICC to speedily resolve technical issues at Governments and institutions level so that the provision of fellowships may help the students to take admission without any hassle. Allocation of funds will develop linkages for fellowships. He asked the University statutory officers to solve the problems of foreign students on priority. After interacting with students from Afghanistan, the Vice-Chancellor resolved many of their problems during the meeting itself. He also asked the Deans to provide a soft copy of lectures to the foreign students as they required more time to study due to language problem. The Vice-Chancellor also directed Students' Welfare Officer and Warden of the International Hostel to provide an English teacher to them so that they may improve their communication skills. Dr.K.K.Katoch, on learning that the foreign students were not receiving their fellowship amount in time, said that the University will be extending them loan facility. He also agreed to provide attached kitchen facility to each hostel resident in International Students' Hostel and also Wi-Fi facility in the hostel. He told that a separate block for twenty four foreign girl students will be constructed in upcoming Rukmani girls' hostel.

The Registrar, Students' Welfare Officer, Deans of the constituent colleges, directors of research and extension education, convenor and members of ICC executive committee, warden international students' hostel and foreign students attended the meeting.
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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: November 09, 2015

Media Cell 

Significant University Activities for the month of  October 2015

 

Key Highlights

 

Research

Extension Education

Miscellaneous

Finance

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Last Updated: November 04, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/74  Dated  04 Nov, 2015

 

Press Release

National conference on Interventions in Livestock production-cum-Health and Crop Mixed Farming for Nutritional Security begins at CSKHPAU

Palampur 4 November. A two days national conference on interventions in livestock production-cum-health and crop mixed farming for nutritional security began at Dr.G. C. Negi college of veterinary and animal sciences (COVAS) at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.

 Addressing around fifty delegates from fourteen states, some foreign delegates and university scientists, Dr.Sanjay Kumar, Director, Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology, asked the scientists to do high precision research beneficial to the society. He said that instead of publishing research papers in journals, the scientists need to involve all stake holders and come-out with technologies which were directly useful to the farming community, industry and nation. He also asked the young scientists to work with dedication and develop technologies having sustainability and acceptability on social and environmental front. He also discussed rich diversity of the Himachal Pradesh and need of further research on several areas.

Dr.Nityanand Pathak, President, Indian Academy of Veterinary Nutrition and Animal Welfare, which organized the conference, elaborated about major activities of his academy. He asked the retired agriculture and veterinary scientists to adopt villages and help farmers and livestock keepers with their farm related problems.

Dr.Rajiv Kumar Agnihotri, Dean, Dr.GCNCOVAS, underlined  the importance of nutritional security as the population was growing at an alarming rate and said that the livestock production can play a pivotal role in it. He said that veterinary nutrition experts have foremost challenge before them and expressed the hope that new approaches for sustainable livestock farming will help the nation.

Dr.V.K.Sharma, organizing secretary, Dr.Sudesh Radotra, Joint organizing secretary and Dr. Adarsh Kumar also expressed their views. Some publications were also released to mark the occasion. Officers from State Animal Husbandry Department and local Indian Veterinary Research Station also attended the inaugural ceremony.

 

 

A view of the dais and audience

 

 

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: November 02, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/73  Dated  01 Nov, 2015

 

Press Release

 

The Governor visits some departments, also releases University Newsletter & Audio CD

 

Palampur 2 November. Acharya Devvrat, His Excellency the Governor, Himachal Pradesh and Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, visited today some departments in the College of Agriculture and Dr.GCN College of Veterinary & Animal Science(COVAS)  and evinced keen interest in the ongoing activities. The Governor interacted with scientist and got information about the various research activities. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, accompanied the Governor.

In the  Department of Crop Improvement and its High-tech Molecular Cytogenetics & Tissue Culture Lab, Head Prof H.K. Chaudhary, explained about the efforts of his  department for the conservation and sustainable utilization of Himalayan Plant Genetic Resources in developing genetically improved crop varieties for mitigating the vagaries of changing climatic scenario. The Governor appreciated the germplasm conservation and innovative research efforts. Dr.S.K.Upadhyay, Head, conducted the visit to Deptt of Horticulture. The Governor lauded  the efforts of Department of Horticulture for its plant nursery and getting four stars out of five from the National Horticulture Board of India. He visited kiwi and blueberry blocks also. In the new  teaching veterinary clinical complex(TVCC), the Governor appreciated the facilities and the treatment being rendered to the animals round the clock. Dr.Pankaj Sood, Head, TVCC appraised the Governor about various activities in the clinics. Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean, COA; Dr. R.K.Agnihotri, Dean, COVAS and Shri Manoj Kumar, Registrar were also present during the visit of Governor.

Yesterday, the Governor was Chief Guest in the cultural evening in the auditorium. He released inaugural issue of CSK HPKV Newsletter, a quarterly newsletter of the University and an audio CD on protected cultivation prepared by the Directorate of Extension Education. In his address, Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor said that cultural evening has been organized to mark the foundation day of the University, to celebrate the convocation and also to mark the Golden Jubilee Year of College of Agriculture. The students of constituent colleges presented a musical and colorful cultural programme comprising dances and songs of the region. The staff, students and guests thoroughly enjoyed the soulful melodies and vivacious dances. Dr.D.S.Rathore, former Vice-Chancellor was also present in the programme besides, some member of the Board of Management.
 

The Governor releasing University Newsletter and CD

 

 

Photographs of cultural evening

 

 

HE the Governor visits departments, group photo with students and staff in Deptt of Crop Improvement

 


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University

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Last Updated: November 02, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/72  Dated  01 Nov, 2015

 

Press Release

Foundation stone of new girls hostel worth Rs. Five crore laid

 

Palampur 1 November. Shri BBL Butail, Speaker, H.P. Vidhan Sabha laid the foundation stone of Rukmani girls hostel at CSK H.P. Agriculture University here today. The hostel with a capacity to house 108 girls will have three floors with 42 dormitories and 24 cubicle rooms  attached toilets to accommodate  foreign girl students. According to Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, the Govt of H.P. has funded the hostel to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 5 crore and the plinth area of the Rukmani Hostel will be around 1832 sqm. It will ease the accommodation problem for ever increasing girl students number each year.
 

 

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Dr. Hirday Paul Singh
Jt. Director (Info & PR)
CSK H.P. Agri. University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: November 01, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/71  Dated  01 Nov ,2015

Press Release

GLIMPSES OF THIRTEENTH COVOCATION: A PHOTO FEATURE

 

Palampur 1 November. Acharya Devvrat, His Excellency the Governor, Himachal Pradesh and Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University and Shri BBL Butail, Speaker, Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha   graced the 13th   Convocation of the University today.

Three hundred and forty six doctoral, master's and bachelor degrees were conferred (12 Ph.D; 112 Masters & 222 Bachelor's degrees)   and 212 students (5 Ph.D; 65 Masters & 142 Bachelor degree recipients) received their degrees in person.

HE The Governor conferred all the degrees and Honour Certificates. For the first time, the University conferred the degrees with QR coding. Shri BBL Butail , Hon'ble Speaker  decorated twenty two (22) brilliant students with Gold Medals.

In his address, the Chancellor exhorted the scientists to help farmers with useful technologies so that they become prosperous which will make all healthy and the State will also prosper.

Governor Acharya Devvrat said that women were excelling in every field and should come forward to participate in agriculture activities in order to strengthen the sector with their contribution.He said that agriculture sector could witness a revolution if women participated in farming activities as they were not only hard working but also proving their worth in every field and making the country proud. He urged girls to take up studies related to agriculture in universities and equip themselves with knowledge regarding farming activities and specialized techniques for effectively contributing towards the sector.

Governor urged the farmers of the state to adopt traditional and organic farming to enhance the quality of their produce and to get better prices in the market. He said that organic food led not only to healthy living but organic farming was environment friendly too. He expressed concern over the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers which not only diluted the health content in crops but also affected the fertility of the soil. He said that they should adopt traditional practices and added that efforts should be made for preservation and conservation of indigenous seeds.  Acharya Devvrat called upon the scientists of the University to hold camps across the state to educate the farming community about organic and traditional farming and added that special awareness should be generated for adopting zero-budgeting for improving the existing agriculture practices in the state. He also asked the scientists to conduct intensive research and develop new techniques besides improving the existing ones especially in organic farming. He said the research conducted in laboratories should reach the fields and farmers. He also stressed upon upon improving the indigenous cow breeds. Acharya Devvrat said that youth were the assets of the country and should contribute towards nation building activities . He said that the nation could develop only when youth were focussed disciplined and growth oriented and urged them to inculcate good values like discipline patriotism sincerity and devotion.

The Governor planted a sapling of Rudraksh near Auditorium.  

Chief  Guest Sh B B L Butail Speaker H P Vidhan Sabha congratulated all the degree recipients and called upon them to work dedicatedly for strengthening the state and put their knowledge for improving the farming activities in the state.He said that 70 percent employment was being generated through agriculture horticulture and animal husbandry sectors which were also contributing 14 percent towards state GDP. He said that state government was encouraging the farmers to take up crop diversification activities on large scale for strengthening their economy and added that vegetable and off season vegetable production in the state has increased to 15lakh metric tonnes covering an area of 75000 hectares. He also spoke on the women empowerment and expressed happiness that the girl students out-numbered the boys at HPAU . 

Dr. K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, welcomed the dignitaries and told about the various achievements in the areas of academics, research and extension education. He told that 1376 students were on roll, out of which 775 were girls. Shri Manoj Kumar, Registrar, conducted the proceedings and Dr.Kamlesh Singh, Dean, College of Basic Sciences, presented a vote of thanks.

 Members of Senate, BOM, Academic Council, Officers of local administration and parents of the degree recipients attended the convocation. The University staff also attended the convocation held in a new simple dress code.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: October 31, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/69  Dated  31 Oct ,2015

Feature on the Foundation Day: 1 November, 2015

37 Years in the service of farming community of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (renamed as  Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in June,2001) was established on 1st November, 1978.The College of Agriculture (established in May, 1966) formed the nucleus of the new farm University. It is ICAR accredited and ISO 9001:2008 certified institution.

The University has been given the mandate for making provision for imparting education in agriculture and other allied branches of learning, furthering the advancement of learning and prosecution of research and undertaking extension of such sciences, especially to the rural people of Himachal Pradesh.

Over the years, this University has contributed significantly in transforming the farm scenario of Himachal Pradesh. Today, the State has earned its name for hill agricultural diversification and the farming community has imposed its faith in the University.

The University has total Staff Strength of 259 scientists/teacher and 1011 Non-teachers excluding 265 employees on secondment with State Govt.Total area at main campus is  397 hectares and Area at Out stations/KVKs is  190 ha

Academic Programmes: The University has four constituent colleges. The College of Agriculture has 13 departments, Dr.G.C.Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Science has 18 departments, the College of Home Science has five departments and the College of Basic Sciences has four departments. These colleges offer six Bachelor Degree programmes and the Dean, Post Graduate Studies offers 26 Masters Degree & 19 Doctoral Degree programmes.

At present 1376(775 girls & 601 boys) students are on roll and more than 6250 students have passed out from the University since its inception. In addition to world class academic, sports and co-curricular facilities, there are twelve students' hostels, including one International Students' Hostel.

Research Activities: The Directorate of Research coordinates research in the field of agriculture, veterinary and animal sciences, home science and basic sciences. It has been giving priority to the location specific, need based and problem oriented research with multidisciplinary approach at main campus Palampur, 3 Regional Research Stations (Bajaura, Dhaulakuan &  Kukumseri) and 10 Research Sub-stations (Kangra, Malan, Nagrota, Salooni, Akrot, Berthin  Sundernagar, Sangla, Leo & Lari) situated  in all districts of the State (except Solan and Shimla).

The University has developed need-based technology for the different regions of the State and has released 147 improved varieties of different crops{ (Wheat 22, Paddy 23, Maize 9, Barley 5, Pulses 23, Vegetables 25, Oilseeds 22, Buckwheat 2, Sugarcane 1,Soybean 1 Fodder 12 and Tea 2)}.

 Around 800 quintal breeder seed of different crop varieties is produced and supplied to the State Department of Agriculture for further multiplication and making it available among the farming community,  every year. The University has released 13 improved agricultural tools to reduce drudgery in farming. Over 100 farm technologies have been recommended to the farmers. Three patents have been granted to the University by the Patent Office, Govt. of India. Successful research work has been done on natural resources management, animal diseases control, animal breeding, etc. and perfect technologies have been developed for different regions of the State to enhance crop and animal production.

Extension Education: The Directorate of Extension Education shares the responsibility for planning, implementation and coordination of various extension education programmes of all the departments of four constituent colleges and research stations in close collaboration with the State Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and other concerned departments and institutions. It conducts a large number of trainings for farmers, livestock keepers, farm ladies, rural youth, etc. at main campus and at its eight Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centres) at Bajaura, Dhaulakuan, Hamirpur, Una, Mandi, Kangra, Berthin and Kukumseri. The Agricultural Technology Information Center is serving as a single window service to the farmers. Media Cell projects and protects the image of the University among target clients and others by various Public Relations and Communication tools.

A massive infrastructure to fulfill the mandate and achieve objectives has been created at main campus Palampur, all Research Stations and Krishi Vigyan Kendras.The main clients viz. the farmers and the students are provided quality facilities in the form of training hall, farmers' hostels, transportation, students' hostels, play ground  & gymnasium, placement cell, etc.

Among the leading universities in the hill region of the country, this University has emerged as torch bearers for all. It is considered most serene institution in the region with extremely conducive atmosphere to puruse academic and research activities.

Due to the sincere and arduous work during the past thirty seven years in the University, the State has achieved new hights  in the area of agriculture. Despite constant decrease in area under farming, crop yields have increased. The State has earned name in commercial agriculture, especially Vegetable cultivation. Harvests have become plentiful and the socio-economic status  of the farming community has improved considerably.

The University will be organizing its thirteenth convocation on the foundation day where 346 degrees will be conferred. A cultural evening will also be organized to mark the occasion where inaugural issue of the University Newsletter will be released in addition to a Video CD on protected cultivation.

 

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Last Updated: October 31, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/68  Dated  30 Oct ,2015

Press Release

 

The Governor to preside over Thirteenth Convocation of CSKHPAU

 

 Palampur 30  October. The thirteenth convocation of CSK H.P. Agriculture University will be held on 1 November. Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Himachal Pradesh, who is also Chancellor of the University, will preside over the convocation.

There is enthusiasm among the students to receive their degrees as the convocation is being held in a simple dress code. For the first time, the University will confer the degrees with QR coding. Three hundred and forty six degrees will be conferred. Among the degree recipients 12 Ph.D ; 112 Masters and 222 Bachelor’s degree recipients will receive their degrees   and  212   students have confirmed their participation to attend the Convocation.

One hundred and ten (110) certificates of honor and nineteen gold medals will also be awarded to the meritorious students.

 Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor will present the progress report of the University highlighting major achievements in the areas of academics, research and extension education. Besides the parents of degree recipients, the members of the senate, board of management, academic council, etc. will be present in the convocation. The University organized five convocations last year where over 1800 passed out graduates were awarded their degrees after a gap of seven years.


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: October 30, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/67  Dated  30 Oct ,2015

 

Photo News

 

Palampur 30 October. Dr.Chander Mohan, Head, Science for Equity Empowerment and  Development (SEED) division and Advisor, Deptt. of Science & Technology(DST), Govt. of India visited CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University today and held discussions with Dr. Atul, Director Extension Education, who is also Project Director, Cold Desert Regions (CODER) Project, DST  and Network Project CODER, Monitoring and Evaluation Programme. Dr Chander Mohan appreciated the e-networking work being undertaken in the project and held discussions with project staff.


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: October 28, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/66  Dated  28 Oct ,2015

Press Release

 

CSKHPAU gives option to wear white shirt and pant to male degree recipients in convocation

 

Palampur 28 October. CSK H.P. Agriculture University has amended it's a new simple dress code for the male students attending the forthcoming convocation to be held on 1 November. As per the notification issued today, the academic council has decided that male recipients of degrees and gold medals can also wear full sleeves white shirt and white pant with black belt and black leather shoes with white socks. Earlier ,  it has was made compulsory that the degree recipient boys should wear  white color Kurta-pajama and black leather shoes with white socks. The dress code of girls will continue to be same as notified on 17 October i.e white saree with red border, half sleeves white blouse and black leather shoes or sandles. Dress code for ushers and other staff on duty outside the convocation hall has also been relaxed.Thirteenth convocation of the University will be held on the forthcoming foundation day of the University on 1 November and rehearsal for eligible degree recipients has been fixed on 31 October.

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Last Updated: October 26, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/65  Dated  26 Oct ,2015

Press Release

 

Six days training on Veterinary Emergency Response Operations for NDRF staff begins at CSKHPAU

 

Palampur 26 October. A six days training programme on Veterinary Emergency Response Operations for thirty staff members of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) began at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today.

While inaugurating the training programme,  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, underlined the importance of timely rescue and management of animals during disasters. He said that animal wealth plays a significant role in the economy of the State which was vulnerable for natural disasters like earthquakes, avalanches, floods, fires, etc. Dr.Kaotch informed  that Veterinary Emergency Response Unit (VERU) was established in the University last year and it was doing  good work. He appreciated the college for conducting training for the personnel of NDRF and expected that it will be of much use to them in emergencies.

Mr.K.M.Singh, a founder member of NDRF, said that it was a unique force which was engaged in saving human beings in emergencies but was not trained to manage animals. Such training will help the staff to manage valuable animal wealth.

Dr.R.K.Agnihotri, Dean, Dr.GCN COVAS, assured that VERU unit in the college will be made a centre of excellence so that it helped in capacity building of all stake holders.

Mr.Gajender Sharma, country head, World Animal Protection (WAP);Dr.R.Kumar, Convener, VERU North India and Drs.Subhash Verma and Arvind Sharma also expressed their views. Training is being jointly organized by VERU, Dr.GCN COVAS and WAP. University statutory officers, heads scientists, students and officers from the state department of animal husbandry attended the inaugural ceremony.

 

A view of dais and trainees  with Vice-Chancellor and others

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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: October 23, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/64  Dated  20 Oct ,2015

Press Release

 

CSKHPAU Veterinary scientists organize infertility camps in high altitude tribal areas of HP

 

Palampur 20 October. A team of veterinary scientists from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University organized four infertility camps at Killar (Pangi), Darcha (Lahaul), Sagnam (Spiti) and Kaza (Spiti) in high altitude tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh. The camps were organized under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) project to investigate reasons of infertility in bovines of Himachal Pradesh under the project "Investigation of various etiologies responsible for infertility and their treatment in bovines in Himachal Pradesh".

 Around 70 cows, yaks and their crosses suffering from infertility problems were examined and treated. Scientists collected samples from infertile animals for detailed diagnosis of the diseases and free medicines were distributed to the farmers. Some other veterinary institutions in Pangi and Lahaul & Spiti were also visited by the team to study the status of bovine dystocia under another RKVY project "Prevalent practices versus scientific management and therapeutics of bovine dystocia in Himachal Pradesh". Team leader Prof. Madhumeet Singh, told that data were collected from the staff working in these institutions to analysis obstetrical interventions in animals suffering from difficult birth in these areas of Himachal Pradesh. Other team members included Dr. Ajit, Mr. Manoj Negi and Mr. Vijay Rana from the Department of Veterinary Gynecology and obstetrics, Dr. G. C. Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor has appreciated the veterinary scientists for organizing these camps in remote tribal areas of the State.

 

 


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: October 17, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/63  Dated  17 Oct ,2015

Press Release

 

CSKHPAU introduces new simplified dress code for convocation

 

 Palampur 17 October. CSK H.P. Agriculture University has introduced a new simple dress code for the students and staff for attending the convocation. As per the notification issued today, it has been made compulsory that the degree recipient boys will be required to be in white color Kurta-pajama and black leather shoes with white socks whereas the girls will have to adorn white saree with red border, half sleeves white blouse and black leather shoes or sandles. The recipients of gold medal will also adorn this dress.

The members of academic procession, ushers and staff on duty will also adorn the same dress with the option of full sleeves shirt and white pant with black colour belt and black leather shoes with white socks for the male members of academic procession only. Women members of academic procession, ushers and staff on duty will adorn cream colour golden border saree with half sleeves blouse of cream colour and black leather shoes or sandles. In case of cold weather, degree recipients and others can wear sleeveless jacket of cream colour  over the approved convocation dress. The samples of dress code of the convocation have been uploaded on the University website.

 In addition to the dress code, specifications have also been circulated for wearing stoles, scarves, slashes and patkas  for graduates, masters' degree recipients, Ph.D. degree recipients , members of academic procession.

Thirteenth convocation of the University will be held on the forthcoming foundation day of the University on 1 November and rehearsal for eligible degree recipients has been fixed on 31 October.
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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: October 13, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/62  Dated  13 Oct ,2015

Press Release

Five days INSPIRE internship camp begins at CSKHPAU

Palampur 13 October.   A  Govt. of  India sponsored  five days Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) internship camp for 150 meritorious students from eleven  schools of  the districts of  Una, Hamirpur and Kangra started  at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today. During the inaugural ceremony it was revealed that this was the fourteenth camp in series and the University has  invited more than 2200 students from  all over the state in the last five years and many of them have been motivated to pursue higher studies in science and even some of them have joined this University to pursue higher studies.

Dr.Kamlesh Singh, Dean, College of Basic Sciences while inaugurating the camp underlined the importance of pure sciences in development of technologies and economic prosperity. He cited the example that development of fundamental physics has enabled development of several useful technologies. He asked the students to adopt science as a career for their secure careers and to serve the country effectively and efficiently.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean, College of Agriculture, as a guest of honour, said that all basics sciences converge in agricultural science. He informed that there had been enormous response to admission in various academic programmes in the last couple of years as Inspire camps have generated lot of interest among students of the state for agricultural science.

Dr.S.K.Dogra, a retired Professor from IIT, Kanpur exhorted the students to excel in their chosen field as competition was enormous. 

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Director of Research and Coordinator, said that young minds were easy to motivate and inspire has been able to motive a large number of campers. He told that twenty inspire fellows were pursuing their higher studies in the University. Dr.Kanwar said that top scientists from the region have been invited to interact with the students and expose them to physics, chemistry, mathematics, life sciences and earth sciences. They will be taken around the labs and experimental areas.

Statutory officers of the university Drs. S.P.Sharma,Dean, PG studies; Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education; Dr. R.K.Agnihotri, Dean, Dr.GCNCOVAS and Dr.J. Shekhar, SWO; Heads and scientists attended the inaugural ceremony.

A view of the dais and participating students

 

 

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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: October 13, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/61  Dated  12 Oct ,2015

Press Release

Model training course on organic agriculture begins  at CSKHPAU

 

Palampur 12 October. A model training course on eco friendly management practices in organic agriculture started at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today.

Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, while inaugurating the training told that this University was very first to initiate work on organic agriculture and was considered a pioneer in it. He told that  an area of  more than two lac hectare under organic agriculture  has been added only  in the last one year raising  it from  about five lac hectare to over seven lac hectare in the country and Madhya Pradesh was leading State in organic agriculture. He asked the trainees to learn by practically doing various steps followed in this type of farming. He also released a CD of compendium of course content.

Dr.J.P.Saini, Head, Deptt.  of Organic Agriculture, elaborated about importance of organic agriculture and safe food. He told that very first niche area of excellence was awarded to the University by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research.

Dr.Punam, Course director told that twenty two participants form eight States like Kerala, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, U.P., J&K, Haryana and  H.P. were taking part in this eight days training course for capacity building of farm officers.

Dr.Suresh Gautam, Co-course coordinator, informed that this need based course has been sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India and jointly organized by the Deptt. of Organic Agriculture and Directorate of Extension Education of the University. Drs. Desh Raj Chaudhry, Rameshwar and Hirday Paul Singh were also present during the inaugural ceremony of the training course.


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: October 12, 2015

Camp Rice & Wheat Research Station, Malan

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/60  Dated  3 Oct ,2015

Press Release

Rice-Day at Malan

The Vice-Chancellor exhorts scientists and farmers to increase crop production

Palampur 3October. “The scientists and farmers face a collective challenge to increase food grains production to feed the increasing population on ever decreasing farm land”, said Dr.  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK H.P. Agriculture University, while addressing  the farmers, scientists and agriculture officers on the occasion of  ‘Rice Day and farmers-scientists interaction’  at Rice and Wheat Research Centre(RWRC) of the University at Malan, around 20 KMs from here today.

The  Vice-Chancellor said that paddy(rice) was very important crop of the nation and State and his University has given around two dozen high yielding paddy varieties for growing in different regions of Himachal Pradesh. He advised that early sown and early maturing varieties should be planted as to take high yields before the onset of winter season. He also spoke on the importance of organic farming and importance of animals in increasing farm income. The Vice-Chancellor also released four publications by the scientists and appreciated them for good work at the centre.

Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education asked the famers to make use of all extension channels for getting latest farm know-how. Dr.Ashwani Kumar, Scientists Incharge , RWRC, informed that high yielding rice varieties  Palam Basmati 1 and Palam Lal Dhan 1 have been released for mid hill areas and the centre  has produced  4.4. tone of  breeder seed of different rice varieties during the season. He also told that high yielding wheat varieties HPW 349 and Palam Gehun have been recommended for timely sown conditions.

Dr.Ripan Sud, Project Director, ATMA gave details about department of agriculture schemes for the farmers. A well known rice scientist Dr.R.P.Kaushik, Drs.H.K.Chaudhry,Vijay Rana,D.C.Sharma,etc also interacted with the farmers. The farmers also visited the experimental areas and sought information about paddy research. They also purchased wheat seed and seeds of other winter crops.
 

 

 

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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: October 12, 2015

Media Cell 

Significant University Activities for the month of  September 2015

Key Highlights

Research

Extension Education

Miscellaneous

Finance

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Last Updated: October 01, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/56  Dated  1 Oct ,2015

Press Release

Media Visit to the Deptt. of Animal Nutrition

 

CSKHPAU supplying high  quality feed products to the farmers of H.P.

 

Palampur 1 October. The University Media Cell conducted a media visit to the Department of Animal Nutrition , Dr.G.C.Negi College of  Veterinary & Animal Sciences(COVAS), CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.

The reporters representing various vernacular newspapers and news channels attended the visit and interacted with Dr.R.K.Agnihotri, Dean, COVAS and department scientists and PG students. They were taken around the Metabolic Stall and its three units.

The reporters were informed that the revolving fund scheme in this department was started in the year 1994-95 with the seed money of Rs. 25,000 provided by the University for the manufacturing of the various feed materials with the objective to facilitate the supply of standard quality feed products like mineral mixture, uro-mol-min bricks, milk ration, calf ration, milk replacer, poultry mash, lab. Animal feeds and dog biscuits etc. on economical rates, to develop infrastructure in the department out of the funds generated, to provide hand on practice to the undergraduate and post graduate students.

The technology formulation and manufacturing of material was being transferred by participating in training program, exhibitions fairs and festivals. The major  materials  which were being produced included   Maintenance / milk production/pregnancy ration to the milk animals; Modified milk replacer/calf starter for grower calves; Area Specific mineral mixture/ Mineral mixture/ fortified mineral mixture; Protected protein ration for high yielding cattle; Different type of poultry feeds; Uromol-min bricks for cattle (Animal Chocklate); Dog biscuits; Probiotics; Complete feed block; Lab Animal Feeds; Any type of feed and feed supplement on demand; Silage; Sheep fed; Emu feed; Fish feed; Rabbit feed; Goat feed and Laboratory Animal feed

The total sale turnover of feed production Unit was Rs 2.84 Crore for the year 2013-2014, 2.20 crore for the year 2014-15 and  was likely to cross 2.20 crore at the end of current financial year.  The feed production unit has contributed in a big way from time to time since its inception towards meeting the financial liabilities of the University.

During the year 2014-2015, the department manufactured and sold 5955 quintal of cattle feed, 1625 quintal of Poultry feed, 7 quintal of Lab animal feed, 401 quintal of Area specific mineral mixture, 15633 UMMB and 30 quintal of Silage in Drums. Similarly during the year 2015 until today, 2344 quintal of cattle feed, 960 quintal of poultry feed, 4.5 quintal of lab animal feed, 482 quintal of Area Specific Mineral mixture and 29973 number of UMMB have been manufactured and sold.

The R & D products of the department were  catering mainly to the each and every livestock farmer of the state including tribal regions through a network of veterinary institutions of the State Department of Animal Husbandry as well as through NGO, Milkfed, KVK and ATIC of the University. The department has been mainly instrumental in development, production and supply of Area Specific Mineral Mixture based on the four  agro climatic zones of the state. The income generated from the Feed Production Unit has been spent for raising university infrastructure and to meet the financial requirements.

The departmental research projects have been undertaken for incorporation of Azolla, Apple-pomace and Sea-buckthorn by products (Sea-buckthorn Cake) - unconventional feed resources for inclusion in the cattle and poultry ration for economizing the cost of production. The research work is underway to study their effect of production, health and performance at different levels of substitution

The feed Production Unit has been facilitating livelihood of the local populace by employment generation in the feed Production by creating job of around 3000 man days every year. The feed Production unit not only caters to the livestock farmer of the State but Was  also providing quality feed and feed additives to the government Poultry farms throughout the State, the Wildlife National Park, Gopalpur and the Bull/ Cow farms under State government.

The reporters also interacted with Drs. Shivani Katoch, Daisy and Vinod Sharma. Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director (Information & Public Relations) was also present during the Media Visit.

 

 

 


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: September 28, 2015
 

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/54  Dated  28 Sept ,2015

Press Release

COA Golden Jubilee lecture series

Understand and adopt organic farming: Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor

 

Palampur 28 September. "There is need to understand and adopt organic farming", said Dr.  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK H.P. Agriculture University, while inaugurating a 'College of Agriculture Golden Jubilee lecture series', here today.

Speaking  as a Chief Guest, the Vice-Chancellor said that everybody wants to have safe food to eat but sensitization about its importance was lacking. He underlined the importance of educating the masses about the significance of organic agriculture and told that there were 30110 registered farmers in  Himachal Pradesh which were engaged in organic farming in an area of around 18 thousand hectare. "Since small and marginal land holdings were easy to be managed and converted under organic farming so all out efforts should be made to bring such areas under this type of farming", added the Vice-Chancellor. Dr.K.K.Katoch informed that harsh climate was suitable for organic agriculture and the State was ideal for it as area around eighty percent was rainfed in Himachal Pradesh. He also indicated that the University will consider introducing a diploma in organic agriculture and will also have a separate sale counter for its organic produce at Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC), near the entrance of university main gate.

Dr.A.K.Yadav, President, International Competence Center on Organic Agriculture, while delivering a keynote address on, "A decade of Organic Agriculture in India" elaborated on the issues related to overcoming productivity and profitability. He said that it has been proved that organic farming improves soil fertility and yield stability is achieved.  Around 6.5 lakh farmers were engaged in this type of farming with total production of 1.24 million MT  worth Rs. 8000 crore including  Rs.2580 crore as export value. He emphasized that a dedicated National Institute of Organic Agriculture should be established under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with around 20 centres of excellence at State Agriculture  Universities. Similarly around 10 percent research allocation should be spared for organic agriculture with a separate extension mechanism. He emphasized that organic agriculture was a viable option.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean, College of Agriculture (COA) told that very first Center of Excellence in  Organic Agriculture was established in CSKHPAU. He told that it was maiden lecture of COA Golden Jubilee lecture series and throughout the year  experts will be invited to deliver special lectures. Dr.J.P.Saini, Head, Deptt. of Organic Agriculture elaborated about the major achievements of his department. Drs.Sant Parkash and Rameshwar also expressed their views.

Statutory officers, heads, scientists and students attended the special lecture.

 

 Pic caption: ,  and

 

A view of dais

Vice-Chancellor honoring Dr.A.K.Yadav


A view of audience

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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: September 19, 2015
 

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/53  Dated  19 Sept ,2015

Press Release

INSPIRE internship camp concludes at CSKHPAU

Dr.K.K.Katoch asks the teachers to develop confidence among the students

Palampur 19 September.  A  Govt. of  India sponsored  five days Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) internship camp for 150 meritorious students from ten schools of  the districts of  Kangra and Una concluded at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while distributing certificates to the participants said that developing confidence among the students was a basic duty of any good teacher. He told that as a scientist one can serve the humanity efficiently and derive the joy of innovations. He asked the participating brilliant students to adopt science as a career and detailed about various competitive examinations. He informed that the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India was spending huge amount to popularize science in the country. There were three programmes to attract students to science beginning with 'Scheme for Attracting Talent', 'Scholarship for Higher Education' and 'Assured Opportunity in Research Career' and asked the students to avail these schemes to propel their careers.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed satisfaction that Inspire has been able to create a joy of learning and innovation among school students. He himself conducted a question answer session with the students and awarded an appreciation certificate to a student who gave maximum correct answers. Dr.K.K.Katoch also lauded the efforts of Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Coordinator of the camp for regularly organizing such camps for the students of various districts of Himachal Pradesh and motivating them to pursue a career in science.

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Coordinator and Librarian, informed that the University has organized 14 such inspire camps in the past with the participation of around 2000 students from all over the State. He told that the students who score 84 percent of more marks in the matriculation examination were invited to attend such camps. He asked the students to avoid falling in the trap of "Last Minute Preparation Syndrome" and make regular study a habit. He asked them to avoid junk food. He also advised them to join good institutes for higher studies as 'brilliance breeds brilliance'.

Top scientists from the region were invited to interact with the students and exposed them to physics, chemistry, mathematics, life sciences and earth sciences. They were taken around the labs and were provided science kits enabling them to conduct small experiments.

The concluding ceremony was attended by Dr.M.K.Gupta, Retired Professor and Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director (Information & Public Relations).

 

A view of the dais and participating students

 

Vice Chancellor distributing certificates to participants

 

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: September 18, 2015
 

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/52  Dated  16 Sept ,2015

Press Release

Appreciation and A grade for Gaddi Goat Field Unit work by CSKHPAU Scientists

Palampur 16 September. The scientific work carried by the ‘Gaddi Goat Field Unit’ by the veterinary scientists of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University has received appreciation at the National level.

In the recently concluded Annual Review Meet of All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement held at Central Institute for Research on Goats, Mathura ,  among the work by eighteen centres, the work of   Dr.G.C.Negi  College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences was highly appreciated and placed under A grade.

During the year 2014-15, the research work by veterinary scientists under, “All India coordinated research project on goat improvement (Gaddi Field Unit)”, was concentrated on 1197 Gaddi goats of migratory farmers. Efforts were concentrated to bring improvement in breed, health and productivity of these animals. These goats are being reared under migratory production system and they migrate to lower hills during winters and higher hills during summers. The scientist team members of the project had travelled to all these remote and tough areas including Marhi, Koksar, Batal, Chandartal lake, Bara Bhangal , Holi, etc in different districts of the State to carry out all the scientific work of the  five year project.

All selected animals were provided health coverage under migratory field conditions viz. vaccination against PPR, de-worming against endo-parasites after fecal sample analysis, periodic health check-ups etc. Strategic supplementary feeding was also provided in the form of mineral mixture and concentrate feed supply. Collaboration with state Animal Husbandry Department was ensured while providing health coverage and other related activities. In addition, 16 male breeding bucks were also provided to the farmers after primary and secondary selection and scientific rearing at Palampur centre for breed improvement.

 Dr. K.K. Katoch, Vice Chancellor, has congratulated the Principal Investigator of the project Dr. Pardeep Kumar Dogra and other team members Drs. Pankaj Sood, Shivani Katoch, Varun Sankhyan, Sidharthn Dev,  Ankur Sharma  and Parveen Sharma for this commendable work in the tribal areas and asked them  to continue this type of work to solve the problems of Gaddi goat rearers of Himachal Pradesh.  


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: September 18, 2015
 

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/50  Dated  14 Sept ,2015

Press Release

NEWS FEATURE 

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, inaugurates Golden Jubilee year celebrations of COA

 

Palampur 14 September.  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University inaugurated the golden jubilee year celebrations of the College of Agriculture, here today. He appreciated the immense contributions of this college in the growth of agriculture in Himachal Pradesh.

The Vice-Chancellor said that per capita per annum food grains requirement was around 150 Kg and the State was already producing more foods and vegetables than required by the year 2050 with expected population of 90 lac. The State is known for crop diversification and protected cultivation and the credit for this fate goes to the tremendous good work done by this college. He told that the country required around 55 thousand farm graduates every year but only 35 thousand students were passing out from various colleges in the country. He emphasized quality education and commended the college for bringing excellence in academics and research activities.

Dr.K.K.Kaotch expressed the hope that the staff will work with added vigor and zest to produce human resources which accept new emerging challenges in agriculture with competence and confidence; do innovate research as per the emerging problems of the State to make the farming more profitable for the farming community and extend scientific knowledge with traditional and modern tools effectively. He has also extended his greeting to all students, staff, alumni and retired employees of this college on the occasion of Golden Jubilees Year.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean, College of Agriculture, made a power point presentation to elucidate the genesis and growth of his college. He told that at present 299 undergraduate, 167 M.Sc. and 80 Ph.D students were on rolls and since the inception of this college 2000 B.Sc., 1167 M.Sc. and 512 Ph.D students have passed out. He told that during the coming one year, the college intends to organize monthly specialized lectures on various themes of agriculture, painting and poster competitions, Agri-fest and cultural programmes, celebration of women and water days and such other activities which energetically involve students, farmers, scientists and other stake holders. 

The golden jubilee session  commenced with a session on reminiscences by two ‘students’ of first batch of B.Sc(Agriculture) Drs. Hari Chand Sharma and Satish C Sharma. Both recalled the challenges during the year 1966-1970 and the fortitude of planners to make the college a well known institution in the country.   

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor and Dean facilitated the founder dean Dr.H.R.Kalia at his residence at Palampur. The Vice-Chancellor also felicitated two founder teachers Drs. S.P.Chachra and S.K.Phull.

Drs.Dinesh Badiyala, S.K.Chauhan and S.K.Upadhyay also expressed their views

Statutory officers of the University, Heads of the department, scientists, students and retired staff of the college attended the programme.

 

Felicitating Dr. Hari Chand Sharma

Felicitating Dr. Satich C Sharma

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Last Updated: September 12, 2015

Media Cell 

       No. QSD/MC/49 Dated  11 Sept ,2015

 

NEWS FEATURE 

Golden Jubilee Year of the College of Agriculture

Dedicatedly serving the cause of students and farmers

The College of Agriculture, Palampur has turned fifty and the yearlong Golden Jubilee celebrations will start on 14 September. During the coming one year, the college intends to organise monthly specialized lectures on various themes of agriculture, painting and poster competitions, Agri-fest and cultural programmes, celebration of women and water days and such other activities which energetically involve students, farmers, scientists and other stake holders. 

The college of agriculture owns its  origin  to Punjab Agriculture University(PAU), Ludhiana as it was, initially, established as a junior college to cater the educational needs of far flung hilly areas of the then Punjab. It was formally inaugurated by Late Dr. P.N. Thapar, ICS (Retd.), the first Vice-Chancellor of  PAU on 1 August, 1966. The then Deputy Prime Minister of India, Shri Morarji Ranchorji Desai laid the foundation stone of the college building on 23 May, 1967. With the reorganization of the Punjab on 1 November 1966, the College came in the territorial jurisdiction of Himachal Pradesh. Nevertheless, it remained functioning as a part of PAU till 21 July, 1970. With the inception of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) in  July, 1970, the College became a part of the Agriculture Complex under the aegis of HPU which comprised of the agricultural colleges at Palampur and Solan along with research stations situated at different places of Himachal Pradesh.The College attained the status of a postgraduate institution in 1971. It was a historic event when the College of Agriculture, Palampur served as the nucleus of H.P. Agriculture University  which was inaugurated on 1 November  1978 by  Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the then President of India.

The college with its thirteen departments  has been given the mandate to develop human resources by under-graduate and post-graduate education and training in agriculture and allied fields to make students professionally competent and socially sensitive; specialized trainings to promote entrepreneurial skills in unemployed youth and others. It conducts research in collaboration with Directorate of Research on crop improvement, crop production, crop protection, soil and water management and farm machinery based on system approach with special reference to hill and mountain agriculture;  socio-economic studies for policy making and also undertakes extension education  by dissemination of farm technologies in collaboration with Directorate of Extension Education.

The college offers B.Sc.(Hons.) Agriculture 4- year degree programme after 10+2 with science; B.Sc.(Hons.) Agriculture 4 - year degree programme for in-service candidates; M.Sc. in nine disciplines Ph.D. in eight disciplines. The college has 92 faculty members including forty four professors.

The College has residential facility with separate hostels for boy and girl students, and UG & PG students. Fifty per cent component of External Examination System has been added to the UG programme and course curricula are framed by the competent teaching faculty keeping in view the needs of the Pradesh and are in line with the National Agricultural Education System of India Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR). The other distinctive feature of resident instructions at undergraduate level is 'Earn While You Learn' Scheme. Under this scheme the students earn money while undergoing practical training at the University farm. Further all the final year students of B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture programme undergo 'Rural Agricultural Work Experience' programme for one semester. This programme has been initiated to develop entrepreneurial skills and mind-set among the agricultural graduates besides, rural and industrial training.

Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean of the college told that at present 299 undergraduate, 167 M.Sc. and 80 Ph.D students are on rolls and since the inception of this college 2000 B.Sc., 1167 M.Sc. and 512 Ph.D students have passed out. A large number of junior and senior research fellowships and clearance of several prestigious examinations of ICAR, UGC, etc by the students are testimony to the high quality of education provided by the competent faculty. The alumni of this college have brought laurels by occupying prestigious positions in India and abroad. Most of the staff of State Department of Agriculture has attained their professional education from this college and are directly serving the farmers. Some of the alumni have joined administrative and police services, forest and army, in addition to private sector. Even some of the alumni joined as diverse profession as journalism, law and public relations.

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor says that the college of agriculture has played a major role in making Himachal Pradesh almost self sufficient on food front. The State is known for crop diversification and protected cultivation and the credit for this fate goes to the tremendous good work done by this college. He has expressed the hope that the staff will work with added vigor and zest to produce human resources which accept new emerging challenges in agriculture with competence and confidence; do innovate research as per the emerging problems of the State to make the farming more profitable for the farming community and extend scientific knowledge with traditional and modern tools effectively. He has also extended his greeting to all students, staff, alumni and retired employees of this college on the occasion of Golden Jubilees Year.

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Last Updated: September 10, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/48  Dated  9 Sept ,2015

Press Release

 

Twelve Gold Medals to CSKHPAU Veterinary Scientists

 

Palampur 9 September.  The faculty members and postgraduate scholars of the Department of  Veterinary Surgery & Radiology, Dr.G.C.Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (COVAS), CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University have been  awarded twelve  gold medals during  recently concluded  annual congress and symposium of the Indian Society for Veterinary Surgery (ISVS) at Srinagar.

The team of surgeons who received the award included Professors S.K. Sharma, M.S. Kanwar, Adarsh Kumar, S.P. Tyagi, Arvind Sharma and Amit Single and  the post graduate scholars  Neelima Tewari, Rohin Sharma, Mitin Chanana and UB Farooq. These awards were given for research contributions by the department like developing cost effective field compatible positive profile end threaded orthopedic implant for repairing long bone fractures in small animals, development and evaluation of anesthetic techniques for monkey sterilization. The ISVS appreciated the scientific contribution of the department in the field of diagnostic imaging and surgery in large and small animals.

  Prof. Adarsh Kumar of the department presented an invited lead paper on Equine Abdominal Ultra-sonography. Prof. S K Sharma, the Head of the Department, was inducted as member of ISVS advisory board. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, has congratulated the gold medal recipients.
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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: September 09, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/47  Dated  9 Sept ,2015

Press Release

Certificate course by Veterinary Emergency Response Unit

Need to have National Disaster Livestock Plan: Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor

Palampur 9 September.  "On line with National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), there is need to have  National Disaster Livestock Plan", suggested Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while inaugurating a four days certificate course on animal management during disasters for the final year students of B.V.Sc.& A.H. at Dr.G.C.Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (COVAS) at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today.

The Vice-Chancellor said that a Veterinary Emergency Response Unit (VERU) was established in the University last year and it has done good work. As the hill State was vulnerable for natural and other disasters so preparedness was a must to minimize its scars. He suggested regular training of all concerned including veterinary officers, pharmacists and livestock keepers so that they may face any emergency and were in position to rescue their animal wealth.

He underlined the importance to have a separate task force for saving animals in emergencies like earthquakes, avalanches, floods, fires, biological and chemical disasters, etc. Dr.K.K.Katoch also suggested for generating localized funds to deal with any catastrophe.

Dr.R.K.Agnihotri, Dean, Dr.GCN COVAS, informed that his college was very first in the northern region to organize such course with fourteen lectures and exercises. VERU unit was being developed to become a centre of excellence so that it helped in capacity building of all stake holders. Protocols and modules were being developed to extend help in disasters and emergencies.

Mr.Gajender Sharma, country head, World Animal Protection (WAP), told that livelihood of farmers was attached to livestock so it was imperative to protect and propagate animals.WAP was a fifty years old organization which became operational in India in the year 2008.It was helping in risk reduction, response and recovery of livestock in disasters.

Dr.R.Kumar, Convener, VERU North India and course coordinator told that 44 final year students, including 30 girls were taking part in the course. Training for NDRF will be organized next month. Dr.Subhash Verma, Course co-coordinator   informed that course has been jointly organized by VERU, COVAS and WAP. University statutory officers, heads scientists, students and officers from the state department of animal husbandry attended the inaugural ceremony.

Chief Guest being received by Dean, COVAS

A view of dais and audience and students with Vice-Chancellor and others

 



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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: September 08, 2015

Media Cell 

 Significant University Activities for the month of  August 2015

Key Highlights

 

Research

 

Extension Education

 

Miscellaneous

 

Finance

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Last Updated: August 31, 2015

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Last Updated: August 31, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/42  Dated 29 August ,2015

Press Release

Ad-hoc research projects reviewed

 

Palampur 29 August.  To review the physical and financial progress of ad-hoc research projects, a meeting under the chairmanship of Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor was held at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University.

The Vice-Chancellor while interacting with the principal investigators, said that review of research projects was necessary to see the progress, applicability  and relevance of such projects to address the needs of Himachal Pradesh. He told that it helped in identification of further research needs and updating of the research management system of the University. He appreciated the efforts of scientists for their significant contribution in solving the problems of the farming community and advised them to give emphasis on integration of various aspects of research with outcome in quantifiable terms.

Dr.N.K.Pathania, Director of Research, told that 96 ad-hoc research projects worth Rs. 30 crore were in operation in the University. Thirty five principal investigators from out-stations and main campus  made presentations of 39 important projects  related to biotechnology, organic farming, protected cultivation, beekeeping, animal husbandry, food science, etc.

Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, Drs.S.K.Sharma and K.S.Thakur, associate directors also attended the meeting.  
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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: August 31, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/41  Dated 28 August ,2015

Press Release

Anti Ragging Committee Meeting at CSKHPAU

 

University to introduce SMS Helpline to students: Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor
 

Palampur 28 August.  A University level anti-ragging committee meeting was held at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor while chairing the meeting informed that all measures have been taken to prevent ragging in the University. He told that as per the legal and statutory requirements, monitoring cell on ragging has been made functional and a committee for promotion and monitoring of inter-action has been constituted in addition to anti-ragging squad and anti-ragging women squad at the University level. Such committees have also been formed at college and hostel level. Requisite affidavits concerning ragging have got filled from the students and undertakings have also been taken from all staff including contractors of the canteens.

While expressing his satisfaction of not getting any adverse feedback about the incidents of ragging, he said that he will not hesitate to take strict action if anybody is found indulging in ragging. He also advised the students to obey traffic rules in the campus and outside the University.

Shri Manoj Kumar, Registrar while welcoming all the members informed about the laws concerning ragging and told that anti-ragging provisions have been printed in the prospectus and included in academic regulations.

Shri Ajit Kumar, SDM, Palampur, expressed his happiness that the University was ragging free and advised the students to avail all helpline numbers in case of any need. Er. Vikas Dhiman, DSP, Palampur suggested that in addition to emergency telephone and mobile numbers, the facility of SMS be made available to the students as it also provides evidence to law enforcing agencies for taking necessary action. This suggestion was accepted by the Chairman Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor. The DSP also warned students to strictly avoid drugs in the campus, especially hostels and asked them to follow traffic rules.

Among  three dozen members, sixteen new and senior students also actively participated in the proceedings and gave feedback. It was also decided that introduction sessions for new students will be organized at college level  in the first week of September and  a  traffic rules awareness week will be observed in the University.

Deans of the constituent colleges, Students Welfare Officer, Librarian, Joint Director (Information & Public Relations), President and Secretary, Non-teaching employees union and parents of newly admitted students attended the meeting.
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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: August 26, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/40  Dated 25 August ,2015

Press Release

Inter college sports competitions at CSKHPAU

 

Palampur 25 August.  Inter college sports competitions began at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor while inaugurating the sports events, told that his University has reserved a seat under sports quota in each undergraduate and master's programme from the current academic session.

He said that due importance has been given to sports and extracurricular activities in the University and a massive infrastructure has been created at Sports Complex. The students must avail all such facilities for acquiring the qualities like leadership, discipline, mutual understanding and brotherhood as sports persons   imbibe all these qualities effortlessly. He told that 48 men and women teams will be taking part in six sports competitions namely basketball, badminton, volleyball, table tennis, chess and power- lifting.

The Vice-Chancellor told that possibility will be explored to make indoor sports complex sound proof. He asked the students to play the games with a spirit of sportsmanship.

Dr. Jahnvi Shekhar, Students' Welfare Officer, welcomed all and told that sports competitions will conclude on 1st September. All the statutory officers, teaching and non-teaching staff and students from the four constituent colleges participated in the inaugural ceremony.

 

A view of inaugural ceremony

 

Vice-Chancellor meeting the volleyball teams of  COA and COBS and  spectators

 


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Dr. Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director (Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: August 24, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/39  Dated 22 August ,2015

Press Release

Sensitization program on ragging at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University

 

Palampur 22 August. A sensitization progrmme on ragging was organized at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor while addressing the newly admitted and other regular students, teachers and non-teaching employees assured that all required steps have been taken by the University to stop the menace of ragging .

The Vice-Chancellor said that his university has the glorious tradition of ragging free campus and he will ensure that this convention continuous in this academic session and in future as well. He told that there was tremendous response to all the major   academic programs  of all the constituent colleges and congratulated the students for securing admission in the prestigious university. He advised the students to pay special attention towards time management and make use of excellent facilities in the institution. He also suggested them to be conscious of the environment and abide by the rules and regulations that govern students'  conduct. Dr.Katoch said that  the campus  life offers  a lot of freedom so they must  keep off  from all activities do  not contribute positively to their  future. He also gave a special emergency intercom number 603 to the students where they could talk to him in case of any problem.He said that he will not hesitate to take strongest possible action if any incident of ragging takes place in the University.   

Mr.Manoj Kumar, Registrar; Dr.J.Shekhar, Students' Welfare Officer; Dr.S.P.Sharma, Dean Post Graduate Studies; Dr.Kamlesh Singh, Dean, College of Basic Sciences; Dr.Pawan Mehta, Dean College of Agriculture; Dr.R.K.Agnihotri, Dean Dr. G C Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences and  Dr.Promila Kanwar Dean College of Home Science also elaborated about the university and college activities and steps taken to stop the menace of ragging. All students and staff members attended the programme.

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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: August 21, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/38  Dated 21 August ,2015

Press Release

 

Every rupee spent by the farmer must give him the profit: Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor

 

Palampur 21 August.  A two days officers' meet of     National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) began at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today. Fifteen General managers and district development managers of the bank are taking part in the programme which was inaugurated by  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor.

While interacting with managers, the Vice-Chancellor asked them to develop a synergy between NABARD and the University so that the farming community was able to adopt latest useful farm technologies. He said that every rupees spent by the farmer must give him the profit only them he will adopt and implement the technologies.

Dr.K.K.Katoch told that production of quality and safe food was an essential activity to sustain humanity but global warming and continuous shrinking farm land for other purposes were major challenges before scientists and planners. He emphasized the optimum use of irrigation water without wastage of a single drop and storage of water through proper use of watershed and water management. He also advocated management of natural resources and production of safe food by pesticide load reduction. Dr.Kaotch told that integrated farming systems should be popularized and certification of organic produce should be done in the State. He asked NABARD to fund his University in developing useful technologies for the farmers.

Dr. P. Radhakrishnan, Chief  General Manager, NABARD, Shimla informed that his bank will join hands with Krishi Vigyan Kendras(KVKs), beginning with  in tribal areas so that scientific technology percolates to the end users. Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, spoke on the future of agriculture. Drs. Suresh Kumar, D.R.Chaudhry, Hirday Paul Singh  were also present during inaugural ceremony. Some officers of NABARD raised the issue of non-availability of quality seed for farmers during crop season. They sought assistance of the University in soil testing also.

A view of dais during inaugural ceremony

 

 

 


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: August 21, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/37  Dated 20 August ,2015

Press Release

 

Training for Producer Organization Promoting Institutions begins at CSKHPAU

 

Palampur 20 August. "Cooperative societies and NGOs can play an active role in educating farming community  to increase their farm production", said Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor while inaugurating a three days training programme for Producer Organization Promoting Institutions at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today. The programme has been organized by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for sixteen NGOs of Himachal Pradesh.

Dr.Katoch said that NGOs have always played an active role in motivating stakeholders to bring a positive change in the society. He cited the example of Maharashtra where cooperative farm societies have ameliorated the fate of farmers. He asked the Producer Organization Promoting Institutions of the State to motivate and educate the farmers so that their produce may get them remunerative price in the market. He also asked the NGOs to propagate oilseed, pulses and minor millets farming as the State was almost self sufficient on food front but was deficient in oilseeds and pulses. He said that it will help poor and marginal farmers the maximum. The Vice-Chancellor also asked them to educate and train farmers in marketing skills. He also appreciated the efforts of his University scientists and NABARD for joining hands for the common good of farmers.

Dr. P. Radhakrishnan, DGM, NABARD, Shimla told that the purpose of training was to strengthen the NGOs with inputs about agriculture, dairy, financial management, agri-business enterprises, etc. Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, Dr. Suresh Kumar, Dr.D.R.Chaudhry and officers of NABARD were also present during inaugural ceremony.

 

 

 


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: August 21, 2015

 

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/36  Dated 17 August ,2015

Press Release

Van Mahotsav celebrated enthusiastically at CSKHPAU

 

Palampur 17 August. Van Mahotsav was celebrated enthusiastically at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University here today. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, planted a sapling  of  Indian soap nut tree and the University community also planted around 150 saplings of  soap nut  tree  to mark the occasion.   Dr.Katoch asked the staff to protect the environment and plant useful trees like Indian soap nut for the benefit of mankind. He told that it was a popular plant among people due to its multiple uses right from its root to fruit. Since centuries people grow it for homemade remedies and medicinal properties of root, bark and fruit. Some villagers also use its leaves as fodder for animals , especially during drought. It is very useful medicinal plant also and grows up to an elevation of 1300 meters  above mean sea level.  It was widely grown in districts of  Kangra, Chamba, Mandi,Shimla and Sirmour.Statutory officers, teachers, noon-teaching staff and students were present on the occasion.

The Vice-Chancellor planting a sapling of  Indian soap nut tree on the occasion of Van Mahotsav

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Last Updated: August 14, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/35  Dated 12 August ,2015

Press Release

125 HP Veterinarians Imparted Professional Training by Veterinary Scientists of CSKHPAU

 

Palampur 12 August. A five days 'continual professional development training' programme for eleven veterinary officers concluded at Dr.G.C. Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (COVAS), CSK H.P Agriculture University, here today . This was sixteenth batch of trainees.

 Under the aegis of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yogjna (RKVY)  funded project entitled "Consolidating Veterinary Clinical delivery services by expanding diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for capacity building and transfer of adaptive technology to field Veterinary Hospitals",  125  field veterinarians from all the 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh  have been  given on-campus hands-on-training on various clinical skills, techniques and diagnostics in sixteen  batches during last one year by the scientists and experts of  Veterinary Surgery & Radiology department.  

The veterinarians were trained on the practical contemporary aspects of soft tissue surgery, diagnostic imaging, orthopedics, surgical and medical emergencies and gynecological aspects by the faculty members.

Prof. S.K Sharma, Associate Director Research and Head of the Department told  that it was an  effort of the department and university towards continual professional development (CPD) of the field veterinarians, that this project was envisaged and implemented. A CPD kit was also provided to each participant containing materials and instruments for their routine use in their rural veterinary clinical practice. A handbook on new concepts in clinical skills and diagnostic technology was also distributed to the trainees. In addition, 6 off- campus  trainings were also held in which faculty members from the Department of Veterinary Surgery & Radiology , attended the OPDs of the Veterinary Hospitals of the State Animal Husbandry Department  to assist the Veterinary Officers in their routine clinical routines using modern diagnostic equipments and   techniques. The project coordinator Prof. Adarsh Kumar informed that a two- way interactive web site has been developed in which the field veterinarians can interact with the university veterinary experts on various animal disease related ailments encountered in their rural hospitals for the prompt diagnosis and treatment of animals of the livestock owners of the far flung areas of the State at their doorsteps. 

The trainee officers from the department of Animal Husbandry valued the need based, field oriented hands on training module and requested for organizing regular continual professional development programmes in future also . The last leg of the project, off-campus trainings will be conducted in the two tribal districts of the state shortly. The training was conducted by Drs. S.K.Sharma, Adarsh Kumar, S.P.Tyagi, Arvind Sharma, Amit Singla, Ajay Katoch  and Pankaj Sood. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor has appreciated the endeavor of scientists for these trainings.

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: August 08, 2015

Media Cell 

 Significant University Activities for the month of  July 2015

Key Highlights

Research

Extension Education

Miscellaneous

Finance

 

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Last Updated: August 05, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/35  Dated 4 August ,2015

Press Release

 

CSK H.P. Agriculture University to fill up 35 teaching positions

 

Shimla 4 August. The Board of Management (BOM) of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur on the recommendations of  Finance Committee has accorded permission to fill up thirty five teaching positions and thirteen non- teaching posts in the university. This was disclosed by Dr.K.K. Katoch, Vice Chancellor at Shimla today after he chaired 108th BOM meeting.

Dr.Katoch told that 32 posts of assistant professors or equivalent, three posts of associate professors or equivalent, two posts of hostel assistants, three posts of veterinary pharmacists, one post of laboratory technician, one staff nurse, one library assistant and five posts of junior office assistants would be filled up.

He said that BOM has decided to send a proposal to the Govt for awarding career advancement scheme to co-terminus teachers. A three member BOM team under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor will visit University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka to study the income generation sources adopted by that university.

The Vice-Chancellor informed the members about major activities undertaken in the University since last meeting held in February this year. He said that online admission procedure was successfully adopted in the University and all necessary measures have been taken to prohibit ,prevent and eliminate the scourge of ragging in the University. Six students have qualified for Senior Research Fellowship and one student got selected in University of East Anglia, UK. Thirteen students got junior fellowship on the basis of all India entrance post graduate programme. Eight research projects worth Rs. 122 lac have been sanctioned to the university. He also elaborated about other research and extension activities.

Fifteen members including Shri  Onkar Sharma, Secretary Agriculture, Shri  Rajesh Sharma, Special Secretary Finance, Dr. Shekhar Masey, Director of Animal Husbandry, Shri  D.P. Bhangalia, Director Horticulture, Shri  Kewal Singh Pathania, Dr. H.S. Baweja, Shri Rakesh Kumar, Smt. Nirmla Devi, Er. S.P. Negi, Dr. J.S. Bhatia, etc also attended the meeting.

 

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: August 03, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/34  Dated 3 August ,2015

Press Release

 

Meetings of Research & Extension Councils at CSKHPAU

CSKHPAU gearing up to face the challenges posed by global warming: Dr.K.K.Katoch

 

Palampur 3 August. "The University was streamlining its research and extension activities to deal effectively with new challenges thrown-open by global warming" said Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor while chairing the twin meetings of Research Council and Extension Council at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today.

The Vice-Chancellor told that  challenges due to  global warming have started making its adverse effects on hill agriculture and the University was working to manage the new problems like  frequently occurring droughts and torrential rains , emergence of new insect- pests and weeds, degradation of natural resources, etc. He also spoke on the issues like shrinking of farm-land and said that the protected cultivation can play major role as production in poly houses was almost eight times more than open cultivation. Dr Katoch informed that organic agriculture was picking up in Himachal Pradesh but agricultural biotechnology has not been able to play the required role. He said that the university was also working on hill farm mechanization and management of stray cattle.

The Vice-Chancellor also advised that trainings should be held for maintenance and repair of poly houses as a large number of farmers have taken up protected cultivation. He said that Krishi Vigyan Kendras(KVK) were required to cater to the farm training and other needs of respective districts. Package of scientific technology was available with the University and KVKs which needs quick dissemination. Dr.K.K.Katoch informed that the University has initiated the process to get additional KVK sanctioned from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)for Spiti valley of Lahaul & Spiti district . Initially the ICAR has agreed to increase grant of KVK, L&S to the tune of 20 percent to serve the farmers of Spiti valley in a better way.

Dr.N.K.Pathania, Director of Research and Member Secretary, elaborated about various achievements since last meeting held a year back. He told that seven new varieties of wheat, chickpea, okra, tomato, asparagus bean and elephant foot have been developed and seven new technologies have also been developed. He also gave details of various achievements in the areas of crop production and protection, veterinary and animal sciences, basic and home science, etc. Twenty two research projects worth Rs.524 lac have been sanctioned to the University.

Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education and Member Secretary, Extension Council, elaborated about major activities undertaken to transfer the technology to the farming community of the State. He said that forty professional trainings were organized benefitting 1028 rural youth and many   such programmes were also organized catering to different sections of  the society in  addition to front line demonstrations, fairs, workshops, etc. The director informed that 445 trainings and fifty vocational trainings for 1285 trainees have been planned for the coming one year. KVK,Bajaura(Kullu) has been adjudged as best KVK in Zone -I.

The members emphasized that need based technologies should be developed and effective feedback mechanism should be developed to see the effects and adoption of training programmes.

Other members of the councils, Dr.J.C.Rana, Director Agriculture, H.P., Dr. D.P.Bhangalia, Director Horticulture, H.P.,  Dr R.K.Malik, Joint Director Research, National Dairy Research Institute; Drs.A.K.Mehta and Usha Kiran Chopra, Retd well-known scientists Scientist; Capt(Retd.) Janmejay Singh; Mrs Radhika Jasrotia; Mrs Veena Chaudhry, all progressive farmers, Dr.Kamlesh Singh, Dean College of Basic Sciences; Dr.S.P.Sharma, Dean  Post Graduate Studies, Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean College of Agriculutre; Dr.R.K.Agnihotri, from   Dr.G.C.Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Dr.Promila Kanwar, Dean College of Home Science, etc. also actively participated in the meetings.

Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor,  chairing meeting of Extension Council and associated pics

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: August 01, 2015

Media Cell 

No. QSD/MC/33  Dated 1 August ,2015

Press Release

 

CSKHPAU Veterinary scientists organize clinical camps in remote areas of the State

 

Palampur 1 August. A team of veterinary scientists from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University organized six clinical camps at Datt Nagar, Kareri, Kalai, Dofda, Syarla and Kamsu  villages of Rampur sub-division of Shimla district.  The camps were organized under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) project to investigate various reasons of infertility in bovines of Himachal Pradesh and around 130 cows suffering from infertility problems were examined and treated. 

Prof. Madhumeet Singh, team leader, told that the scientists collected blood samples and uterine discharge samples from infertile cows for detailed diagnosis of the diseases and free medicines were distributed to the farmers.

In the last two years, around 120 such infertility camps have been organized by the scientists of veterinary gynecology department under this project in various locations of Himachal Pradesh, including some remotest tribal villages of Pangi, Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur, Bharmour, trans-Giri areas of Sirmour and also Dodra-Kwar of district Shimla and more than 4000 animals have been examined and treated in these camps. The team members included Prof. Madhumeet Singh and   Dr. Pravesh Kumar from the Department of Veterinary Gynecology and obstetrics, Dr. G. C. Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences. Manoj Negi and Vijay Rana were other members of the team. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, has appreciated the efforts of veterinary scientists and asked them to organize more such camps in remote areas of the State for the benefit of livestock keepers.

 

 

Dr. Hirday Paul Singh
Jt. Director (Info & PR)
CSK H.P. Agri. University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: July 14, 2015

Media Cell

 

Significant University Activities for the month of  June 2015

Key Highlights

 

Academics

 

Research

Extension Education

 Finance

 

 

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Last Updated: June 20, 2015

Media Cell

 No. QSD/MC/27 Dated 19 June, 2015

Press Release

Group Meeting of All India Network Project on Soil Arthropod Pests

 

Develop farmer friendly easy to adopt effective technologies: Dr.J.S.Sandhu, DDG, ICAR

 

Palampur 19 June. "There is need to develop farmer friendly easy to adopt effective technologies to control insect-pests which damage crops and effectively transfer such technologies to the end users." This was stated by Chief Guest Dr.J.S.Sandhu, Deputy Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in his inaugural address to the participating scientists from all over the country in a two days group meeting of All India Network Project on Soil Arthropod Pests at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.

Dr. Sandhu said that such effective technologies should be developed which were environment friendly and easy to adopt by the farming community. He said that soil arthropod pests were causing huge crop losses so the scientists working on the pests should try to involve voluntary groups and should also try to percolate the useful technology to the farmers. Dr. J.S.Sandhu, who is also holding the charge of Agriculture Commissioner and Chairman, Insecticide & Pesticide Board of Indian, also elaborated about various government initiatives to minimize use to chemicals in the food crops.

In his presidential remarks, Dr. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor told that soil arthropods like termites, cut worms, white grubs, etc. were responsible for damage to food crops and vegetables. He said that for food and nutritional security it was imperative to devise effective technologies to control such insects and protect all those insects which were farmer friendly. He also asked the scientists to extend their knowledge to the farmers quickly.

Dr.P.K.Chakrabarty, Assistant Director General, ICAR said that for sustainable agriculture, crop protection plays a pivotal role.

Dr.N.K.Pathania, Director of Research, said that due to varied agro-climate conditions, there were many types of soil arthropods like white grubs which damage crops in the State and elaborated about the research work on such insects  in the university. Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean ,College of Agriculture told that Kharif crops were affected more by such insects.

Dr.R.S.Chandel, Organizing Secretary and Dr.Surjeet Kumar also spoke on the importance of project on soil arthropods. One souvenir and four technical publications were also released by the DDG and Vice-Chancellor.

University Statutory officers and other staff attended the inaugural session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last Updated: June 11, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/26 Dated 11 June, 2015

Seminar on e-Krishi Shikhsa

CSKHPAU to adopt ICT for its PG and UG Education: Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor

Palampur 11 June. CSK H.P. Agriculture University was in the process to streamline its entire working, especially, post-graduate and under-graduate education by adopting information and communication technology (ICT). This was disclosed by Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while addressing the university faculty as a chief guest in an "Awareness-cum-Online Demonstration Seminar on e-learning portal on Agricultural Education; e-Krishi Shiksha", here today.

The Vice-Chancellor told that from the next semester, it will be made compulsory for students to access free e- Krishi Shiksha portal developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) so that they gather latest and more knowledge about their professional subjects. He asked the teachers to make a provision to frame some questions based on the available information on this useful portal. He also asked the staff to shed technophobia and make maximum use of ICT tools  for effective communication and dissemination  of knowledge. He told that the university was in the process to utilize video-conferencing for   conducting viva- voce examination of students and getting in touch with scientists stationed in remote research stations of the university. Dr. Katoch said that by introducing  online  registration of students for entrance examination this year, the university has saved a lot of time and resources. This hassle free system has been used and appreciated by around fourteen thousand aspirants.

Dr. Katoch, said that for improvement in imparting quality education, ICT can play a pivotal role and his university will take quick and effective steps to utilize it to the maximum. Some work has been done to post lectures by the teachers on university web-portal and now, this will be improved so that there was proper monitoring of students and their performance was conveyed to their parents online. He suggested personal contact programmes (PCP) at university headquarter, Krishi Vigyan Kendras or Research Stations for conducting  practical for those who were using this technology for distance education programmes. As  ICT will touch more than 13 billion dollar industry by next year, he exhorted the staff  to make use it for the benefit of the university.

Dr.R.C.Goyal, Emeritus Scientist, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, sensitized the faculty of all the constituent colleges about e-Krishi Shiksha  portal which was developed and operated by ICAR. He told that 440 courses were taught in 72 agriculture universities and 598 farm colleges in the country and e-learning was very cost effective and effective even for the farmers. Excellent material in the form of text and audio-video was available and it was being used world over. He asked the teachers to develop and regularly update data base of their subjects.

All the deans and directors also attended the seminar which was conducted by Dr. Ajay Sood, Principal Scientist.

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Last Updated: June 10, 2015

Media Cell

 

Key Highlights

 

Academics

 

Research

 

Extension Education

 

Miscellaneous

Finance

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Last Updated: June 06, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/25  Dated 5 June, 2015

Press Release

CSKHPAU scientists organize veterinary clinical camps and training in remote villages of the State

 

Palampur 5 June.  A team of veterinary scientists from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University organized four clinical camps in remote villages of Kullu District. The camps were organized  under Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Yojna (RKVY) project to investigate incidence of infertility in bovines of Himachal Pradesh at Barsheni, Khakhnal, Hiripur and Jarri villages and around 125 cows suffering from infertility problems were examined and treated.

The scientists collected uterine discharge samples and blood samples from infertile cows for detailed diagnosis of the diseases. Free medicines were distributed to the farmers. Dr. Madhumeet Singh, Professor lead the team comprising Drs. Pravesh Kumar and Dr. Rohit Sharma from Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and obstetrics of Dr.G. C. Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.

In the last two years, around 100 such infertility camps have been organized by the department under this project in different parts of Himachal Pradesh, including tribal villages of Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur, Pangi, Bharmour, trans-giri areas of Sirmour and also Dodra-Kwar of district Shimla and more than 3500 animals have been examined in these camps.

Another team of scientists organized agro-forestry training at village Thorang in Lahaul & Spiti. Around fifty farmers were trained under Tribal sub plan of All India Coordinated Research Project on Agro-forestry. The farmers were informed about the importance of agro-forestry and improved fodder tree species for Lahaul valley especially for boundary plantation and plantation along the water channels. A practical demonstration was imparted by  Drs. Punam and Rameshwar to the farmers. Saplings of improved fast growing Salix species were also distributed to the trainees along- with serrated sickles. Salix plantation was also done in Wheat Research Station of Indian Council of Agricultural Research at Daling Maidaan for raising mother- stand for future endeavors.

  Dr. K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor has appreciated the efforts of the University scientists for organizing camps and training  in remote and less accessible areas of the State.

Vety camps in Kullu villages and trainees and scientists at Lahaul

 

 

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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Last Updated: May 22, 2015

Media Cell

    No. QSD/MC/24  Dated 22  May, 2015

Press Release

Joint review meeting of ICAR institutes and others at CSKHPAU

Help small & marginal farmers with useful and affordable technologies:  Shri Sujan Singh Pathania

Palampur 22 May. Shri Sujan Singh Pathania, Minister of Agriculture,MPP  & Power, H.P. has exhorted the farm scientists and officers to help small and marginal farmers with useful and affordable technologies. As a Chief Guest, the Minister was addressing around two dozen top officers and scientist of the region during a joint review meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, both farm universities and all departments concerned with agricultural development in Himachal Pradesh at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University (HPAU), here today.

The Minister said that farmers of Himachal Pradesh were small and marginal so they have their own farm related problems like small and scattered land holdings, hilly terrain, rain fed farming, etc. and here the role of farm scientists becomes crucial. The farmers need such technologies which benefitted them and enable them to secure their livelihood and reap rich dividends from rain fed farming. The Minister told that while modern scientific farm technologies were capable of providing economic and nutritional security to the nation yet there was need to earn name and fame at International level by integrating agriculture to other sectors like information technology. He said that varied agro-climatic conditions in the state presented a good example of crop diversification and the farm   officers and scientists can add more knowledge and innovations in this area. He also advised more attention towards organic agriculture and poly house farming. He also spoke on the importance of precision farming, organic farming, forecasting of insect-pests and diseases, biotechnology, etc.

Shri Pathania elaborated about various government programmes and schemes to develop farming and secure rural livelihood and assured full support to the concerned departments for doing more work for the welfare of farmers of the region.

Delivering his key note address Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK HPAU and chairman of the meeting, said that Himachal Pradesh was third fastest growing economy of the country due to agriculture, hydel power and tourism. The state was already producing more food than required. By the year 2050, the state would require 14.4 lac tone food grains which it was producing currently. Same was case with vegetable production which was thirty percent more than required. He told that climate change will affect agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry sector and his university was working to secure interests of farmers under uncertain climate conditions. Dr.K.K.Katoch, said that eighty percent agriculture was rain fed or dependent on irrigation so there was need to take care of such models which facilitate farmers for integrated farming. He elaborated on available farm technology and its effective dissemination, protected cultivation, farm machinery for drudgery reduction, fodder production, water-shed development, fishery production, under utilized crops, organic agriculture, agro-industry,  controlling food wastage, etc. He conveyed his gratitude to the Govt. of H.P. for introducing agriculture in 300 schools as a vocational subject and informed that more than 13000 students have enrolled online for entrance test of his  University.

Guest of Honour Dr.Vijay Singh Thakur, Vice-Chancellor, Dr.YS Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan, in his address said that the though the State was known for  fruits and vegetables which earn a lot of revenue to H.P. but the productivity was not much. Most of the farmers were small with low land holdings due to geographical reasons. There were 21 farmers with returns over a crore each and 106 farmers with returns of more than Rs. fifty lac each. These achievements were worth emulating. He called for collaborated and concerted efforts among concerned institutions for the common good of farming community.

Dr.N.K.Pathania, Director of Research, CSKHPAU,  gave background of the regional meeting and expressed the hope that deliberations will help the farmers, officers and scientist in planning and implementing the recommendations. Dr.P.K.Mishra, Director, Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation, Dehradun , who was also member secretary of the meeting, told that  the region one comprised J&K, Uttranchal and Himachal Pradesh and all recommendations of such meetings were approved at ICAR level. He thanked the CSKHPAU for hosting the important meeting.

Shri Sujan Singh Pathnania, Minister of Agriculture and Power, released a booklet on Tea insects and their control and a monthly calendar of tea husbandry, both authored by Dr.Parmod Verma and his team. The Minister also released another publication by Dr.PK.Mishra. Drs. Ajay Sharma, J.C.Rana, Gurdev Singh; Directors of Rural Development, Agriculture and Horticulture respectably, around two dozen other senior scientists including head and in- charges of ICAR institutes in Himachal Pradesh and scientists from both farm universities deliberated  upon state specific issues pertaining to the development of agriculture and allied sectors in Himachal Pradesh.

Earlier, Shri Sujan Singh Pathania, Minister of Agriculture, launched the repository link of online theses in the university library for the benefit of students, teachers and other readers. He also visited Fish Farm and inspected various ongoing activities of the department. Dr. K.K. Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Librarian, Dr.J.C.Rana, Director of Agriculture were also present during the occasions

 

Views of the dais and participants

 

The Minster launching online repository in the Library

visiting Fish Farm

 

Last Updated: May 21, 2015

Media Cell

                    No. QSD/MC/23  Dated 21  May, 2015

Press Release

Anti terrorism day observed at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture

Palampur 21 May. Anti terrorism day was observed at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University (CSKHPAU), here today.

Mr.Manoj Kumar, Registrar, administered the pledge to staff of Administration block. Pledge taking ceremonies were also held in all colleges, directorates and other officers where concerned deans, directors and statutory officers administered pledge to the staff. The employees took part in the pledge taking ceremonies in full strength. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, also addressed the staff on this occasion.

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: May 21, 2015

Media Cell

 

               No. QSD/MC/22  Dated 21  May, 2015

Press Release 

Palampur 21 May. A state level joint review meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, agricultural universities and all departments concerned with agricultural development in Himachal Pradesh will be held on 22 May at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University (CSKHPAU). 

Shri Sujan Singh Pathania, Minister of Agriculture & Power, H.P. will be chief guest and heads of concerned departments and scientist in-charges of ICAR institutes will take part in this high level meeting. Dr.Vijay Singh Thakur, Vice-Chancellor, Dr.YS Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan; Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK HPAU; Directors of Rural Development, Agriculture and Horticulture will also be participating  in addition to around two dozen other top scientists and officers from the State. The experts will deliberate upon state specific issues pertaining to the development of agriculture and allied sectors in Himachal Pradesh.

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Last Updated: May 12, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/21   Dated 12 May, 2015

Press Release

Farm Officers' Workshop

Safe food production & value addition in farm produce mantras for good dividends: Dr.K.K.Katoch

 

Palampur 12 May. A state level agricultural officers' workshop on kharif crops was organized at CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, here today. Around two hundred progressive farmers, farm officers from the State Department of Agriculture and the University scientists participated in the daylong workshop and finalized strategies for ensuing Kharif season.

Chief Guest Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while inaugurating the workshop said that safe food production and value addition in farm produce were mantras for good dividends. He told that the food grains production in the State has increased substantially yet there was need  to grow more pulses and oilseed crops. He told that crop diversification has given good results as around seventy two thousand hectare area was under vegetable production but excessive use of insecticides and pesticides must be brought under control.  He also advised that soil fertility maps should not be uploaded in jpg format and should be in expendable format for proper use by the farmers and others.

The Vice-Chancellor also underlined the importance of water harvesting and increasing fodder production as there was thirty percent green fodder shortage in Himachal Pradesh. He also welcomed the announcement of Chief Minister to introduce agriculture as a vocational subject in three hundred schools and informed that more than ten thousand applications have been received online for entrance examination of various academic programmes in the University. He directed the Department of Agricultural Engineering to make arrangements for mass production of small farm implements for the farmers. He also asked the Directorate of Extension Education to get feedback from all those sixty eight thousand farmers who were being given farm advisory through mobile SMS service.

Dr.J.C.Rana,  Director of Agriculture, H.P elaborated about preparations for the ensuing crop season. He told that Government of India and Govt.  of  H.P have introduced several innovative schemes for the farming community. Contingency plan for each district has been prepared anticipating deficient monsoons and new crops like tomato, maize, peas, ginger, etc have been brought under crop insurance scheme. Ten centers of excellence will be developed at the cost of Rs. Two crore and a special grant of Rs. Ten crore has been earmarked for marketing.  Since funding was performance based so the results should be useful.

Dr.N.K.Pathania, Director of Research, informed about various research achievements of the University. He told that the University was focusing its research on organic agriculture, agro-technology for protected cultivation, soil health and rainfed agriculture . He also informed in detail about the research work in the areas of crop improvement, crop production and  protection, soil and water management and seed production. He told that some promising hybrids of maize and varieties of other crops were in pipeline. Dr.Pathania told that 141 research projects worth Rs. 4781 lac were in operation in the University. He also asked the farmers for judicious use of chemicals.

Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, told that efforts have been made to transmit latest farm technology to the farmers by various extension tools. More than fifteen thousand farmers were benefitted in the trainings on poly house cultivation, mushroom cultivation, soil health , animal husbandry etc. in the last six months. Frontline demonstrations were laid on farmers fields and scientists were also trained in three workshops.

Dr.Gurdev Singh, Director of Horticulture, Drs Desh Raj Chaudhry and V.K.Sharma also addressed the participants. The University scientists informed about on-going activities on the aspects of crop varieties, agronomy, soil and water management, diseases, insect-pest management, farm mechanization, etc. Farm Officers gave district-wise feedback and progressive farmers from various districts of the State also expressed their views on Kharif crops. Dr.P.K.Mehta, Dean, College of Agriculture; Dr. S.P.Sharma, Dean Post Graduate Studies also      attended the inaugural ceremony of the farm officers' workshop.


A view of dais

 

 

 

A view of participants

 

 

 

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: May 07, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/18   Dated 5 May, 2015

Press Release

Kisan Mela at village Salli

 Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, asks farmers to grow oilseeds and pulses

Palampur 5 May. CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University organized a Kisan Mela at village Salli(Shahpur) around 75 KMS from here today. In his presidential address, Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, said that crop diversification can play a pivotal role in increasing the farm income. He said that it was imperative to improve crop yields to feed the ever increasing population. The government had taken initiative for this by implementing a massive programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna which has started yielding very positive results. He asked the farmers to make use of all such programmes which help them to adopt modern farming and make their crop yields bountiful.
The Vice-Chancellor said that the state of Himachal Pradesh has traversed a glorious path of agricultural development but there was an urgent need to grow more pulses and oilseed crops. The state was producing adequate vegetables and farm management can give good results. He also asked the farmers to retain their farm land and store irrigation water for critical irrigation of the crops. Dr.K.K.Katoch also advised the farmers to grow new crop varieties and grow safe food by adopting organic agriculture. While elaborating about the advantages of protective cultivation he told that poly house farming can give very good returns. The Vice-Chancellor also touched issues related to conservation of traditional and local different crop varieties and need of rearing milch animals and proper management of dairies.
Dr.K.K.Katoch also expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for the proposal to introduce agriculture as a vocational subject in three hundred schools in the State. It will encourage the rural children to pursue agriculture in their higher education. He told that the university was in the process to reserve twenty percent sears in B.Sc.(Agriculture) and B.V.Sc. programmes in the University. He declared that Salli village will be adopted by KVK Kangra and modern farm technology will be introduced in the village. He also conceded to the demand of villagers for front line demonstrations in the area and assured the shepherds to extend university help through veterinary quick response unit in case of any need.


Shri Kewal Singh Pathania, Vice-Chairman, H.P.Forest Corporation, appreciated the university for organizing Kisan Mela in a remote Dhar Kandi area which was dominated by tribal farmers. He said the farmers posses useful traditional knowledge which could be of much use to the scientists. A better coordination between the farmers and scientists was mutually useful to both for the farm development. After adopting crop diversification, the socio economic status of farmers has undergone a sea change. He said that scientists have done wonderful work and the useful technology has been extended by the department of agriculture and other departments.
Shri Pathania, who is also member, Board of Management of the University, said that the country cannot move forward without agriculture and the farming community must make use of all government schemes for their benefit. He also elaborated about various programmes by the government for the benefit of farmers.Shri Pathania also spoke on the utility of marketing and asked the university to extend modern technology by demonstrating the scientific farming of crops like potato and rajmash in the remote villages under Dhar Kandi belt.He also underlined the importance of adopting fish farming. He also thanked the Chief Minister for implementing agriculture as a subject in three hundred schools of H.P.


Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, said that the farmers should get in touch with Krishi Vigyan Kendras and research stations of the university all over the State for getting latest farm technology. He also elaborated about various extension education activities for the benefit of farmers. He told that the university will disseminate weather advisory to all those farmers who got themselves registered in the Mela.He underlined the importance of quality seed for increased crop production.


Dr.B.S.Mankotia, Associate Director, Regional Research Station(RRS), Kukumseri(Lahaul & Spiti) told that the Mela has been organised under Tribal Sub Plan and sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR).He told that seeds of Okra(Bhindi), capsicum(Mirch) and mineral mixture for the farm animals was provided free of cost to the farmers. Serrated sickles and some more farm implements were also distributed to the farmers. Dr.S.K.Upadhyay, Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra(KVK), Kangra told that his kVK has also collaborated with RRS to organise the Mela.


Drs.Anil Kumar, Deepika Sood, Neetu Sharma, Sanjiv Sandal, Akhilesh Sharma, Rameshwar, Ajay Srivastva, Sudhir Rana, etc also answered to the told thae questions of the farmers related to their crop related issues. An exhibition was also installed and the farmers took interest in small farm implements and machines displayed by the Deptt of Agricultural engineering. Capt Janmejay Singh and Smt.Radhika Jasrotia, both Member, Research Council of the University, Shri Dev Dutt Sharma, Director Industries, Ms Rekha Chaudhry, BDO and farmers from the surrounding villages like Boh, Drini, Romar, Konal , etc actively participated in the Mela. Officers from the State Deptt of Agriculture, Forests, PWD, IPH, etc also participated in the programme. Some progressive farmers were also honoured on the occasion. Shrimati Samro Devi, Uttam Chand, Jodha Ram and Santosh Chand gave contributions to Sh Kewal Singh Pathania for Chief Minister’s relief fund.
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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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Last Updated: May 06, 2015

Pictures of Kisan Mela at Salli, Kangra

 

 

 

 

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Last Updated: May 05, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/17  Dated 4 May, 2015

Press Release

The announcement of Chief Minister to introduce agriculture subject in schools hailed

Palampur 4 May. The announcement of  Shri Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, H.P. to introduce agriculture as a vocational course in three hundred  schools of the State has been hailed by the Vice-Chancellor and Board of Management(BOM) members of CSK H.P. Agriculture University.

In a statement,  Dr.K.K Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, Shri Kewal Singh Pathania and Shri Rakesh Kaushal, both members of BOM, have expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for taking this historic decision which will go in a long way to connect the students with farming. Agriculture being a major avocation of people of the State, especially the rural population, it is imperative to introduce the students to modern technology and knowledge about agriculture. This will encourage the youth to assist their families in scientific farming and increase their family income.

Introduction of agriculture to the young minds will prepare them to seek higher education in this profession and return to their roots after finishing the studies. The Vice-Chancellor and BOM members, while appreciating the decision of the Chief Minister, said that agriculture contributes substantially to the state economy and most of the rural population was engaged in farming and it is essential to engage the youth to modern farming. The decision will create an interest among students about various facets of farming. He assured that his university will assist the Govt. in implementing this decision. Since the University was, already, in the process to reserve twenty percent seats in B.Sc.(Agriculture) and B.V.Sc. for children of farmers, so this decision will also boost the prospects of such children to clear the entrance  test and join the University for their graduation.

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Dr. Hirday Paul Singh
Jt. Director (Info & PR)
CSK H.P. Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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April 25, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/14  Dated 25  April, 2015

Press Release

World Veterinary Day was celebrated in  Dr.GCN COVAS

 

Palampur 25 April. World Veterinary Day was celebrated at Dr G C Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (COVAS), CSK H.P. Agriculture University by Veterinary  & Animal Science Teachers Association(VASTA) , here today.

Dr.K.K Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while appreciating  the efforts of VASTA said that veterinary sector plays an important role in the economy and all associated with this noble profession were special. He said that it was imperative to keep animals healthy for maximum animal production and timely vaccination of animals plays important role in disease prevention. He said that increasing population has encroached upon the natural habitat of animals compelling them to come out in search of food and shelter. He also discussed various issues concerning animal protection and production due to climate change and advised the veterinarians to be alert towards new threats and challenges.

The Vice-Chancellor also distributed certificates and prizes to winners of various competitions organized to mark the occasion.

Dr.R.K.Agnihotri, Dean, COVAS, told that this day is celebrated world over since the year 2000 to enlighten the general public about various activities undertaken by veterinarians. He also lauded the efforts of VASTA.

Dr.V.K.Gupta delivered a special lecture on “Vector borne diseases and zoonotic potential.

Dr.Shivani Katoch, President , VASTA  told that a marathon, painting and rangoli competition, slogan writing, etc. were organized besides  vaccinating over a hundred dogs to mark the day. Dr.R.K.Chahota, Vice-President and Dr.Sidharth Dev Singh, Secretary, VASTA also expressed their views. VASTA also honoured the Vice-Chancellor.

 Mr Rattan Gautam, Registrar; Dr S S Kanwar, SWO; Dr J Shekhar, Dean PGS, Heads, Teachers and students took part in the programme.
 

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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April 25, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/13  Dated 24  April, 2015

Press Release

Students’ Welfare Organization organizes Interactive motivational talk

Palampur 24 April. "The future of India is in the hands of skillful and knowledgeable youth", said Mr. Ranjodh Singh, a leading industrialist  from Ludhiana while delivering an interactive talk on , "Management, Placement and creativity"  to the students of CSK H.P. Agriculture University.

 He said that during studies the students should try to acquire knowledge and skills with dedication and commitment. At the same time they must develop some hobby and spend time in daily exercises . He asked the students to recognize their true passion and pursue it with dedicating time and loyalty. He also gave them tips for facing the interview and develop a creative mind to add value to their profession and life. Mr.Ranjodh Singh also assured his help to the students for placements and invited them to visit his industries.  

Dr.N.K.Pathania, Dean, College of Agriculture, while presiding over the function, asked the students to imbibe virtues from the great men and women. He said that a disciplined routine can bring many positive changes in life. He also advised the students to shun negativity.

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Students' Welfare Officer, who had arranged the talk, thanked Mr. Ranjodh Singh for being with the students. Dr.R.S.Chnadel, Programme Director, Placement Cell conducted the proceedings.

Dr.N.K.Pathania, Dean, COA released five posters on nature by Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director (Information & Public Relations). Dr.Ranjodh Singh presented books authored by him to Dr.N.K.Pathania and Dr.S.S.Kanwar. A large number of students took part in the programme.

In an another programme, Dr.Sudarsan Dash, Senior Programme Officer, United States-India Educational Foundation(USIEF) conducted an outreach programme and spoke to the University students  about Fullbright fellowship opportunities and preparing a strong application for its annual competition for study, research, teaching and professional development in United States.Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, said that it was a good beginning  and expressed the hope that the students will bag some
Fullbright fellowships.He said that the information by USIEF representative was useful. Dr.S.C.Negi, Fulbright campus representative welcomed all.

SWO and others

Mr Ranjodh Singh delivering a talk to the University Students

Dr.N.K.Pathania releasing five posters by Dr.Hirday Paul Singh

 Dean COA

A view of dais and audience.

Group photo of the students with key speaker

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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April 24, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/11   Dated 21 Apr., 2015

Press Release

Media Visit to the Deptt. of Crop Improvement

Innovative Efforts in Revolutionizing Genetic Improvement of Hill Crops

Palampur 21 April. The University Media Cell conducted a media visit to the Department of Crop Improvement, College of Agriculture, CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.

The reporters representing various vernacular newspapers and news channels attended the visit and interacted with Dr.H.K. Chaudhary, Head of the Deptt , his team of scientists and post graduate students. They were taken around the department labs and experimental fields also.

The reporters were informed that the Department of Crop Improvement was proceeding towards acceleration of various genetic improvement efforts in different crops with high precision through cutting edge research.  The Department has established a High-tech Molecular Cytogenetics & Tissue Culture Lab (MCT Lab) with the support of the ICAR, DBT, DST, BARC, CSIR and Monsanto sponsored research projects.  This Lab has the credit for creating an innovation by developing a new and highly efficient Wheat x Cogon grass system of chromosome elimination-mediated doubled haploidy breeding with the untiring and scintillating efforts of scientists. It was informed that the invention of this newly developed system has been appreciated at various international  fora in the developed world  and aspire to use not only for accelerated development of new  wheat varieties but also for enhancing efficiency of gene mapping studies.  This system has accelerated the wheat improvement programme manifolds and the Department has the honour of releasing ‘Him Pratham’ as the first doubled haploid wheat variety of the country.  

It was further told that the efforts were  in progress for utilizing this technique to develop rust resistant wheat varieties in an accelerated manner with high precision for north-west Himalayan regions in collaboration with the wheat scientists from RWRC Malan, DWR Karnal and IARI, Regional Centre, Tutikandi.  Further, to enhance the precision of genetic improvement efforts in various crops, the Deptt has  taken lead amongst the agricultural Universities of the country by establishing facilities and introducing GISH & FISH approaches of molecular cytogenetics required for physical mapping of the targeted genes introgressed through wide hybridization.   The Head of Deptt and other scientists  acquired this technology through various fellowships like Commonwealth Fellowship awarded by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, London and Sr  Biotechnology Overseas Associateship of the DBT executed in renowned Labs of England and Japan.  The Deptt has  established various international linkages with Japanese and English Labs and persuaded the scientists and the Ph.D. scholars to visit these Labs as part of their research in India.  One of the  students has got a prestigious Beachell – Borlaug International Scholarship to work in India and England in the sphere of DH Breeding and Molecular Cytogenetics. The innovations, expertise and high –tech facilities created in this Department have not only attracted Scholars and Scientists of India and abroad for fundamental research but opened a new horizon for their implications to accelerate the crop improvement programmes with enhanced precision so as to develop genetically upgraded targeted varieties of various cereals, pulses, oilseeds and fodder crops for varied agro climatic regions of the hill state.  Dr.H.K. Chaudhary told that the inventive research being undertaken by the scientists of the Department  was bound to  attract various national and international agencies for establishing future collaborations under the leadership of Dr. K.K. Katoch, Vice-Chancellor of the University so as to bring unique opportunities for the diverse farming communities and the younger generations of the Hill State.

Later, the reporters asked some questions from the scientists and interacted with students also.

Some pics of the Media Visit

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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April 24, 2015

Press Release

CSKHPAU organises awareness programme on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act in a remote village Thaltukhod (Barot)

Palampur 19 April. An awareness-cum-training programme on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act (PPV&FRA,2001) was organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra ( Sundarnagar) of CSK H.P. Agriculture University at Thaltukhod (Barot),  68 Kms from here today. 

Chief Guest Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while addressing around three hundred farmers and   farm ladies, said that it was imperative to conserve the traditional and local different crop varieties under Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act .The Govt of India was providing incentive in the form of royalty when such material was used by some other agency for commercial cultivation. This act protects the rights of farmers, farming community and breeders who were involved in the development of local, traditional  or improved varieties. The Vice-Chancellor said that farmers settled in remote and tribal arras were growing traditional millet crops like Kodra, Cheeni, Kauni, Chinopodium(Bathua),amaranths (Chulai),etc. which were rich in nutrients like iron, phosphorous , calcium and having some medicinal values. The farmers should keep on growing these useful crops and not replace these with other commercial crops. He said that his university will help farmers in registration of traditional crop varieties with the PPV&FRA authority.

Dr.Katoch also spoke on various activities undertaken recently by his university for the benefit of farmers of the State. He assured the farmers that  the university will organise more training programmes in remote and less accessible areas.

Dr.Atul, Director of Extension Education, said that the farmers should get in touch with Krishi Vigyan Kendras and  research stations of the university all over the State for getting latest farm technology. He also elaborated about various extension education activities for the benefit of farmers.He underlined the importance of quality seed for increased crop production.

Dr.S.K.Guleria, spoke on the PPV & FRA in context to rich biodiversity in NW Himalayas. Dr.Pankaj Sud, Porgramme Coordinator , KVK, said that three such programmes have been organized in the recent past which have made farmers aware about the importance of conservation of local germ-plasm. Drs.Devlash, D.S.S.Yadav, Subhash, Shakuntla Rahi and Kalpana Arya also interacted with the farmers. During farmer scientist interaction, the farmers sought solutions to their crop related problems. Mr.B.D.Sharma, District Agricultre Officer gave information about his department activities. Mr.Roshan Lal, Panchayat Pardhan thanked the university for organising the programme. He told that farmers from surrounding villages Kharyan,Dhamchyan, Badi Bajgyan, Graman,Pajon and Cheling actively participated in the programme.

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

 

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Significant University Activities for the month of March 2015

Key Highlights

Ø  CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University organized a Kisan Mela at Panchrukhi(Palampur) on 20 March. Dr. K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, as Chief Guest, while addressing the farming community, told that farm mechanization can play an active role to reduce farm drudgery and increase production from ever decreasing farm land. He said that his university has developed improved farm machines and tools suitable for the hilly terrain of the State. As a special guest Dr.M.R.Goma, former MLA, thanked the university for organizing the Mela. Dr.D.K.Vatsa, Head of Agricultural Engineering department and his team interacted with the farmers. More than five hundred farmers evinced interest in the Technology and Machinery demonstration exhibition.

Ø  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, inaugurated a  Govt. of  India sponsored  five days Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research internship camp for 120 meritorious students from ten schools of  the districts of  Kangra and Kullu at the university on 27 March. Dr.O.S.K.S.Sastri, Head of Physics department from the Central University of  H.P., delivered a keynote address.Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Coordinator and Students Welfare Officer, informed that the University has organized 13 such inspire camps in the past with the participation of 1983 students from all over the State.

Ø   CSK H.P. Agriculture University and Eternal University, Baru Sahib(Sirmour)  will sign  a Memorandum of Understanding. This was decided in a high level meeting held between Vice-Chancellors of both the universities on 9 March. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor and all the statutory officers from CSKHPAU and Dr.H.S.Dhaliwal, Vice-Chancellor and his team from Eternal University held a meeting and decided to join hands  in the areas of  academics, research and extension education.

Ø  The Vice-Chancellor presided over training-cum-awareness programme on PPV&FRA at KVK Bara on 25 March.

Ø  A joint meeting of the Monitoring & Guidance Committee and Executive Committee of International Coordination Cell was held under the chairmanship of Dr.K.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor on 26 March. The Vice-Chancellor sought information from the Executive Committee regarding information brochure for the foreign students and also sought suggestions from the members of Monitoring & Guidance Committee.

Ø  With his visits to the Deptt of Organic Agriculture, Deptt of Seed Science & Technology and Deptt of Tea Husbandry & Technology, Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, concluded his visits to experimental areas of all departments of the College of Agriculture on 21 March.During his visits, the Vice-Chancellor monitored the experiments by the departments and post graduate students and also got feedback from the scientists and students. Some of the problems were solved on the spot during these visits. The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied by Director of Research; Director of Extension Education; Dean, College of Agriculture and Dean, Post Graduate Studies.

Ø  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor  attended the meeting of  GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Uttrakhand at Paryavaran Bhavan, New Delhi on 2 March.

Ø  The Vice-Chancellor presided over the meeting of Finance Committee of  of the University on 3 March at  Shimla.

Academics

Ø  Three post-graduate students of Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension Education and Rural Sociology attended sensitization workshop on Bankable Schemes of NABARD for setting up entrepreneurship in Agri-clinic and Agri-business centers organized by the Placement Cell on 3 March.

Ø  RAWE students organized six plant clinics at Tatehal, Agojar, Malan, Nagri , Chimbalhar & Averi  villages.

Research

Ø  Three research project proposals viz. (i) "Eco-friendly use of agro-chemicals for greenhouse whitefly management under protected environment" worth Rs. 10.27 lac, (ii) "Host derived biomarkers for the development of a diagnostic immunoassay for bovine tuberculosis" worth Rs. 5.00 lac  and  (iii) "Establishment of a fish disease diagnostic facility in Himachal Pradesh" amounting to Rs.32.29 lac have been submitted to the State Council for Science Technology & Environment, Shimla  for consideration and necessary funding.

Extension Education

Ø  The Directorate of Extension Education and KVKs organized 44  training programmes which were attended by 1318  farmers.

Ø  676 farmers from all over the State visited the University and KVKs for technical guidance.

Ø  Eight field days were organized by KVK, Una ; KVK, Bara and KVK, Berthin which were attended by 813 farmers.

Ø   Two training camps were organized at Dhurenka and Khani (Bharmour )on 24 and 25 March, respectively by the Department of Soil Science.

Ø  One training was organized by Department of Seed Science & Technology on 25-26 March. One camp was organized by Department of Agricultural Engineering  at Bhawarna on 11 March.Department of Tea Husbandry organized one camp on 28 March at Mansimbal.

Ø  Department of Vety Physiology & Biochemistry organized training for Veterinary Pharmacists under RKVY project from 16-21 March.

Ø  Dr.GCN COVAS  appraised 242 farmers with the technology of Livestock Production.        

Ø  426  clinical cases were diagnosed & treated in clinics, 510 samples were analyzed and 100 X-ray examinations were done.

Miscellaneous

Ø  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, flagged-off a rally by NSS volunteers to commemorate International Women Day week at the campus on 13  March.NSS volunteers of four constituent colleges carried NSS flags of their respective colleges and placards with slogans on women empowerment.

Ø  The University Media Cell conducted a media visit for Reporters on 11 March. It was informed that the Library provides online and offline services like web based, Online Public Access Catalogue), C-D ROM, LAN, access to full text on line journals through CeRA, access to full-text e-books and other library related information etc. through the University website. Dr.P.K.Mehta, Librarian told  that the University Library is fully equipped with modern facilities.

Ø  Delegates of Royal Agriculture University, U.K visited the University on  24 March.

Finance

Ø  Dr GCN COVAS generated an income of  Rs.30,68,373 only, College of Agriculture generated an income of Rs. 3,57,311 only and the Directorate of Extension Education generated an amount of Rs.1,47,553 only.

Ø  The University  approved the grant of dearness allowance at the enhanced rate of 107 percent to its employees with effect from July, 2014. The payment of enhanced DA will be made with the pay for the month of April payable in May.

Ø   The funds received from various funding agencies were fully utilized for payment of salary, wages and retirement benefits etc. 

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March 27, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/10   Dated 27 Mar., 2015

Press Release

Vice Chancellor Dr.K.K.Katoch inaugurates  INSPIRE internship camp at CSKHPAU

Palampur 27 March. "It is a blessing to be a scientist!"; said Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, while inaugurating a  Govt. of  India sponsored  five days Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) internship camp for 120 meritorious students from ten schools of  the districts of  Kangra and Kullu at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.

Dr.K.K.Katoch said that as a scientist one can serve the society effectively and derive the joy of innovations. He exhorted the participating brilliant students not to be the part of the crowd in adopting run- of-the mill routine professions purely for materialistic life-styles. He informed that the the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India was spending huge amount to popularize science in the country. There were three programmes to attract students to science beginning with 'Scheme for Attracting Talent', 'Scholarship for Higher Education' and 'Assured Opportunity in Research Career' and asked the students to utilize the rare opportunity to pursue science as  career and help the nation in creating a rich human resource pool in various branches of the science.

The Vice-Chancellor informed that original thinking gives new ideas and there was always a need of India specific useful innovations. He said that Inspire has been able to create a joy of learning and innovation among school students. The studentship is a wonderful period to experiment, learn and choose career and it was the duty of teachers to help the young minds to explore all possibilities of growth. He told that the nation has always held its scientists in high esteem.

The Vice-Chancellor also lauded the efforts of Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Coordinator of the camp for fruitfully organizing  such camps and motivating the students to pursue a career in science.

Dr.S.P.Sharma, Director of  Research, as a guest of honor, spoke on the importance of science in day to day activities and underlined the usefulness  of  attending such programmes which enlighten the students about their career options. Dr.O.S.K.S.Sastri, Head of Physics department from the Central University of  H.P., delivered a keynote address.

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Coordinator and Students Welfare Officer, informed that the University has organized 13 such inspire camps in the past with the participation of 1983 students from all over the State. He told that the students who score 84 percent of more marks in the matriculation examination are invited to attend such camps. Top scientists from the region will expose the students to physics, chemistry, mathematics, life sciences and earth sciences. They will be taken around the labs and  all  students will be provided science kits enabling them to conduct small experiments.

The inaugural session was attended by Dr.N.K.Pathania, Dean, College of Agriculture; Dr.Atul, Director of Research, Dr.P.K.Mehta, Librarian, head of the departments, officers and scientists from the host University.

A view of the dais and participating students


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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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March 21, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/09    Dated 23 Mar., 2015

Press Release

CSK HPAU releases additional installment of seven per cent DA to its employees

Palampur 23 March. CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University has approved the grant of dearness allowance at the enhanced rate of 107 percent to its employees with effect from July, 2014.  It has been enhanced from existing 100 percent to 107 percent. The payment of enhanced DA will be made with the pay for the month of April payable in May and the payment of arrears for the period July, 2014 to March, 2015 will be made subject to the availability of funds.

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March 21, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/08    Dated 20 Mar., 2015

Press Release

Technology and Machinery Demonstration Fair

 

Farm mechanization can reduce farm drudgery and increase proudction: Dr.K.K.Katoch

 

Palampur 20 March. CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University organized a Kisan Mela at Panchrukhi, around eight KMs from here today.

 Dr. K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, as Chief Guest, while addressing the farming community, told that farm mechanization can play an active role to reduce farm drudgery and increase production from ever decreasing farm land. He said that his university has developed improved farm machines and tools suitable for the hilly terrain of the state. “Such tools worth Rs. Two crore were produced in the university and were made available to farming community by the State Department of Agriculture”, he added. Dr.Katoch said that the farmers may purchase power tiller and all such machines in groups and with the improved technology can produce more from the limited land holdings.  He informed  that  the university has developed perfect technology for the poly- house farming and there were more than fifteen thousand poly houses in the State and the farmers were reaping rich harvests from vegetable cultivation with this technology developed by the university. He also asked the farmers to adopt new scientific technology to save water and seek help of his university experts for their farm related problems. The Vice-Chancellor appreciated the role of farm women and exhorted the youngsters to adopt modern farming.

As a special guest Dr.M.R.Goma, former MLA, thanked the university for organizing the Mela and told that the government was abreast with their farming related problems of monkeys, stray cattle and wild animals. He requested the farmers not to sell their land.

Dr.S.P.Sharma, Director of Research, told that research work was on going on farm machinery and tools, poly-houses, renewable energy, ergonomics and safety in agriculture, post harvest technology and such technology can certainly boost farm production.

Dr.D.K.Vatsa, Head of Agricultural Engineering department, told that as per the instructions and support from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, such Technology and Machinery Demonstration Fairs have been organized today all over the country. He told that the university was working to develop techniques to ward off monkeys and other wild animals from the farms.

Drs. Neena Vyas,R.S.Rana, V.K.Sharma and Rakesh Gupta also elaborated about farm mechanization. Dr. Atul, Director of Extension Education; Dr.N.K.Pathania, Dean, College of Agriculture; BDO Mr. Sant Ram Officers from the State Department of Agriculture, BDO Mr. Sant Ram and village Pardhans also actively took part in the Mela. More than five hundred farmers evinced interest in the Technology and Machinery demonstration exhibition. They also sought answers to their farm related problems from the scientists.

A view of the dais and exhibition

Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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March 13, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/07    Dated 13 Mar., 2015

Press Release

NSS Rally to commemorate International Women Day


Palampur 13 March. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, flagged-off a rally by NSS volunteers to commemorate International Women Day week at CSK H.P. Agriculture University, here today.

NSS volunteers of four constituent colleges carried NSS flags of their respective colleges and placards with slogans on women empowerment. The rally started from the main gate and covered the whole campus. Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Students' Welfare Officer, other statutory officers, NSS officers and the University employees were present during the flagging off ceremony.

 

 

 

 

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March 12, 2015

MEDIA CELL

Significant University Activities for the month of February 2015

Key Highlights

 

Research

 

Extension Education

 

Miscellaneous

 

Finance

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March 11, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/06    Dated 11 Mar., 2015

Press Release

 

Media visit conducted to the CSK H.P. Agriculture University Library

 

Palampur 11 March.The University Media Cell conducted a media visit for the friends from Media to the CSK H.P. Agriculture University Library, here today.

It was informed that the Library provides online and offline services like web based, Online Public Access Catalogue (web OPAC), C-D ROM, LAN, access to full text on line journals through CeRA, access to full-text e-books and other library related information etc. through the University website. The Library also created a digital library after installation of one of the most advanced storage server. Besides the other data bases, the library has its own databases; Theses holdings, back volumes of journals, books available in the library etc.
 The library is regularly receiving FAO publications directly from Rome. The library is a member of Agricat. Agricat developed under e-GRANTH in collaboration with Online Computer Center, Ohio, USA. It is a union catalogue of 12 agricultural libraries, useful to all library users, helps in locating and sharing materials among group of libraries. The library provides special services to off campus users through EZproxy. Library management allows online access to researchers, teachers, students and other stakeholder.  The University Library has also digitized Ph.D. Theses through Shodhganga.
Dr.P.K.Mehta, Librarian told the University Library is fully equipped with modern facilities. At present 90 thousand books and periodicals are available in the library. The library has its own book bank. The students are entitled to draw books from book bank for full semester. This library was conferred Best Library of the year Award - 2010 by World Management Congress Committee. Mr.Dev Walia, professional assistant and coordinator, Shodhganga and Shodhgangotri project also took the media persons to different sections of Library like Special section on H.P, Book bindery section, circulation section, electronic resource center, rare book section, etc.
DrHirday Paul Singh, Joint Director (Information & Public Relations) was present during the Media Visit.


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March 09, 2015

Media Cell

No. QSD/MC/05 Dated 09 Mar., 2015

Press Release

 

CSKHPAU and Eternal University to sign MOU


Palampur 9 March.  CSK H.P. Agriculture University and Eternal University, Baru Sahib (Sirmour) will sign  a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), next month. This was decided in a high level meeting held between Vice-Chancellors of both the universities, here today.
Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor and all the statutory officers from CSKHPAU and Dr.H.S.Dhaliwal, Vice-Chancellor and his team from Eternal University held a meeting and decided to join hands  in the areas of academics, research and extension education.
 “A six member committee comprising three members each from both universities will finalize the areas of mutual interest and fine tune the memorandum within this month so that MOU is signed by mid April,” disclosed Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor. He said that basic purpose to enter into MOUs was to extend more facilities to the students of both universities and serve the farming community of the State. His university will draw strength from Eternal University to extend farm technology to the farming community of Sirmour district, in addition to betterment of both the universities.
 Dr.H.S.Dhaliwal told that his university was offering several programmes and undergraduate residential programmes were only for the girl students. The university has also introduced B.Sc. (Agriculture) from the last academic session. The university has strength in biotechnology, molecular biology, etc. and was willing to share its research material with CSKHPAU for the development of new crop varieties.   


 

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February 26, 2015

Media Cell   मीडिया प्रकोष्ठ

No. QSD/MC/02    Dated 25 Feb., 2015

Press Release प्रैस विज्ञप्ति

CSKHPAU promotes thirty three scientists

 

Palampur 25 February.  CSK H.P. Agriculture University has promoted 33 scientists after getting approval from the Board of Management. Twenty seven associate professors or equivalent have been promoted to the rank of Professors or equivalent and six assistant professors or equivalent have been promoted to the rank of associate professors or equivalent. The University has also promoted one personal assistant to the post of   private secretary and two senior scale stenographers to the post of personal assistants. Similarly, two stenographers have been promoted to the posts of senior scale stenographers and one superintendent grade two has been promoted to the post of superintendent.
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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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February 24, 2015

Press Release

No. QSD/MC/01 Dated 23 Feb., 2015

 

CSKHPAU creates a Media Cell

Palampur 20 February.  To enhance the visibility and better communication of the achievements, CSK H.P. Agriculture University created a media cell.

According to Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, the existing Public Relations Unit has been  merged in the newly created cell which will provide a dedicated single window service to the print, electronic and social media.

Dr.K.K.Katoch said that the university was already providing information to the media but wanted to improve the functioning so a single window system has been created. The cell will be responsible for wider publicity of the advancements made in the field of teaching, research and extension education activities of the University by various Public Relations and Communication tools, ensuring that all major events, in which the university engages, both on and off the campus, were successfully covered in the Print, Electronic and Social Media to portray the stated mission of excellence. The media cell will engage in planning, arrangements, co-ordination, follow up of all Public Relations activities with the effective support of the administration. The cell will also ensure effective and focused communication.

Dr.Katoch told that the Media Cell will also be responsible for highlighting the decisions emanating from the meetings of various statutory bodies of the university which help in image building and benefiting general masses.

The Vice-Chancellor told that the Joint Director (Information and Public Relations) has been made Incharge of the Media Cell and declared spokesman for the university. He will also organize press-conference of the Vice-Chancellor with the authorized media persons and contact newspapers and electronic channels to elicit their views on the requisite inputs from the university from time to time.

 

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February 23, 2015

Public Relations Unit   

 No. QSD/MC/718Dated 21 Feb., 2015

 

Press Release

Inter-college youth festival begins at CSKHPAU 

Palampur  21 February. Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University inaugurated inter –college youth festival.

He said that such events help the students to develop a spirit of competitiveness and cooperation. He advised the students to show their best talent in various events so that a good team is sent to participate in All -India Agricultural Youth Festival to be held at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, next month.

Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Students’ Welfare Officer informed that 175 students from the constituent colleges of the university will take part in 15 events like Theatre, Music, Fine arts and literary events in the two –days festival. All the statutory officers, teachers, non-teaching staff and students attended the inaugural ceremony.

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February 23, 2015

Public Relations Unit   

 No. QSD/MC/717 Dated 20 Feb., 2015

 

Press Release

CSKHPAU opens gateway for international collaborations

Palampur  20 February. A maiden joint meeting of the Monitoring and Guidance and Executive Committee of the recently constituted International Coordination Cell (ICC) was held at CSK H.P. Agriculture University.

 

While addressing the members, Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, said that the university has opened a gateway for international collaborations  in the areas of teaching, research and extension education activities. He asked the members of executive committee to prepare a roadmap at the earliest so that some students from some foreign countries were enrolled in the university in the coming academic session. The university has already developed a protocol and developed quality facilities for providing top class education to the students. The existing rules for admission of foreign students will be elaborated.The executive committee should project the institution among prospective countries through embassies and prepare a proper database for it. The committee should also help in implementing memorandum of understandings (MOU) done in the past and prepare ground for future MOUs with like-minded institutions so that the stakeholders were benefitted. He also asked the members to identify and help in generating resources for faculty exchange programme. Dr.K.K.Katoch, asked the members to support and extend help to foreign alumni of the University as it would enhance the visibility of the university activities in the foreign lands.

Shri Ranjit Singh, Registrar-cum-Liaison Officer, Dr.S.P.Sharma, Director of Research, Dr. Kamlesh Singh, Dean, College of Basic Sciences, Dr.Sanjit Katoch, Dean, Dr.G.C.Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Dr.Rekha Malhotra, Dean, College of  Home Science, Dr.J. Shekhar ,Dean, Post Graduate Studies;  all members of Monitoring and Guidance  and Dr. H.K.Chaudhary, Convener, executive committee, assured that the executive committee will  assist  the university to forge alliances with institutions within country and abroad for the common good of students and farmers. Dr.Sanjay Sharma, Professor, Dr.Rajesh Rajput, Associate Professor, Dr.Y.S.Chandel,  Warden, International Students’ Hostel;  Dr.R.S.Chandel, Programme Director, Human Resource Development & Placement Cell and  Dr.Hirday Paul Singh, Joint Director( Information & Public Relations) ; all  members of  ICC Executive Committee also attended the meeting.

 

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February 21, 2015

Public Relations Unit

 No. QSD/PRU/716 Dated 19 Feb., 2015

 

Press Release

CSKHPKV experts extend consultancy to field vets through dedicated web portal

 

Palampur 19 February.  The veterinary scientists of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University will be extending their expertise through interactive web portal to the veterinarians working in field veterinary hospitals in Himachal Pradesh.

The web portal www.consultvetpalampur.org  has been launched with an intention to provide a two way interactive portal to quickly address the queries of the veterinarians working in hospitals. They can upload the picture, text or video on this portal and the panel of experts will address the queries. It is having video streams and images for e- learning which will assist them in routine health management. The portal will help in creating a working link between the State Departmental of Animal husbandry institutions and the university.

This portal has been developed under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna funded project “Strengthening Veterinary Clinical services through capacity building and continual professional development of Veterinarian’s skill and transfer of adaptive technology to Field Veterinary Hospitals” being executed in the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Dr G.C.Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in the university.

This web portal will ensure to keep pace with the current standards of practice in veterinary and animal science field. It will ensure that knowledge stay relevant and up to date with awareness of the changing trends and directions in the profession. It will help identify focused areas and will open up new possibilities, new knowledge and new skill areas. This type of two way dynamic web portal is first of its kind in India which will provide assistance and consultancy to veterinarians working in field veterinary hospitals.

According to Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, this web portal has been conceived keeping in view the  critical need for Veterinary Continuing Professional Development to enhance the skills and competencies of Veterinarians. “Well-crafted and delivered training is important because it delivers benefits to the individual, the profession and the animal keepers”, he added. Dr.Katoch

 said that the  veterinary hospitals in Himachal Pradesh were  located at far flung and scattered areas. The Veterinary professionals can play a major role in realizing increased livestock production by acquiring updated relevant knowledge and extending that knowledge in the form of skilled practice and informed technical advice. The delivery of Veterinary services in term of diagnosis and treatment has advanced tremendously but has not percolated to applied levels at rural vet institutions.

The Vice-Chancellor said that through this website the university will try to promote the quality and quantity of continual professional development to service providers and end users with a goal to turn the most innovative research and latest practices in form of consultancy. The Vice-Chancellor also appreciated the efforts of Dr. Adarsh Kumar, Project Coordinator    and Prof S.K.Sharma, head of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology department for this noble cause and expected that it will be of much help to the users thus benefitting the livestock keepers. This web portal was launched by Shri Virbhadra Singh, Chief Minister, during his visit to the university on 16 February.

 

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February 12, 2015

Public Relations Unit

Significant University Activities for the month of January 2015

Key Highlights

Ø  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, addressed the University staff on New Year day and informed that CSKHPAU has prepared a roadmap for financial sustainability and was working on it to increase its domestic income manifold. He also unfolded plans for the year and emphasized to improve the services to the students and farmers.

Ø  The  University created an International Coordination Cell (ICC) to coordinate the major University activities like academic, research and extension programmes with the foreign institutions and universities. The Registrar has been declared as Liaison Officer with an International Coordination Cell Executive Committee and Monitoring and Guidance Committee.The Vice-Chancellor will be chairman of a nine member committee which will monitor and guide the affairs of ICC Executive Committee. All the Deans of four constituent colleges, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, Directors of Research and Extension Education and Students’ Welfare Officer will be other member of monitoring and guidance committee. A seven member committee, with  Dr.H.K.Chaudhary, Head, Department  of Crop Improvement as Convenor will coordinate activities of the University within and outside country with various institutions.

Ø  The Vice-Chancellor chaired  ‘National Youth Day’ function organized by Chinmaya Organization and delivered a lecture on “Role of Youth in protection and promotion of Women Rights in H.P.”  on 12 January.

Ø  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, chaired Kisan Mela organized by Ambuja Cement at Darlaghat and delivered a talk on 17 January.

Research

Ø  A project proposal entitled “Bio-efficacy data generation for product Glyphosate 71% SG (Ammonium Salt) on the crop Tea and Non-cropped area” worth Rs. 1.60 lac with Dr. Dinesh Badiyala, Principal Scientist & Head, Deptt. of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management, as P.I. of the project has been sanctioned to this University by the Coromandel International Limited, Secunderabad, (A.P.)

Ø  ICAR funded research project entitled, “ All India network programme on neonatal mortality in farm animals” with a financial outlay of Rs.94 lac has been sanctioned to the Deptt of Vety Pathology with Dr.V.K.Gupta, Dr.R.D.Patil, Dr.Desh Raj and Dr.P.Mitra as Co-PI.

Ø  Two research project proposals viz. (i) “Application of microbial bio inoculants(s) for extraction of flax fibre” amounting to Rs. 64.61 lac, ((ii) “Dissemination of Protected Cultivation Technology among the Farmers of Low-Hills Sub Montane/ Sub Tropical Conditions of Himachal Pradesh” amounting to Rs. 32.28 lac have been submitted to National Institute of Research on Jute & Allied Fibre Tech. (NIRJAFT), Kolkata and National Horticulture Board, Govt. of India, Haryana, respectively for consideration and necessary funding.

 

Extension Education

Ø  The Directorate of Extension Education and KVKs organized 48 training programmes which were attended by 1344  farmers.

Ø  767 farmers from all over the State visited the University and KVKs for technical guidance.

Ø  Eighteeen Kisan mobile advisory services were provided to 12508 farmers by KVKs.

Ø  Department of Agronomy, Forage and Grassland Management organized one day awareness programme on Resilient Agriculture on 28 January  at KVK, Bara.

Ø  Five trainings were organized on soil health and soil fertility management to the officers from the Deptt of  Agriculture, H.P.  

Ø  Department of Tea Husbandry and Agro forestry organized one day training on management of Tea Plantation on  28 January.

 

Ø  Deptt. of  Vety .Gynaecology & Obstetrics conducted three infertility camps under RKVY project. It also organized  six training-cum-clinical camps in Mandi, Sirmour and Solan districts under DST project.

Ø  403  clinical cases were diagnosed & treated in clinics and 137 samples were analyzed.

Finance

Ø  Dr GCN COVAS generated an income of  Rs.61,48,037  only, College of Agriculture generated an income of Rs. 7,97,090 only and the Directorate of Extension Education generated an amount of Rs.56,062 only.

Ø   The funds received from various funding agencies were fully utilized for payment of salary, wages and retirement benefits etc. 

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January 24, 2015

Public Relations Unit

No. QSD/PRU/714 Dated  24 Jan, 2015 

Press Release

CSKHPAU establishes International Coordination Cell for effective linkages

 

Palampur 24 January. CSK H.P. Agriculture University created an International Coordination Cell (ICC) here today to coordinate the major university activities like academic, research and extension programmes with the foreign institutions and universities. The Registrar has been declared as Liaison Officer with an International Coordination Cell Executive Committee and Monitoring and Guidance Committee.

According to Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, this cell will finalize all modalities with whom CSKHPAU has entered or will enter into memorandum of association for effective linkages within India and abroad. The ICC will also seek support and extend help to foreign alumni of the University for enhancing visibility of the university activities in the foreign lands.

The Vice-Chancellor will be chairman of a nine member committee which will monitor and guide the affairs of ICC Executive Committee. All the Deans of four constituent colleges, Dean, Post Graduate Studies, Directors of Research and Extension Education and Students’ Welfare Officer will be other member of monitoring and guidance committee. A seven member committee will coordinate activities of the university within and outside country with various institutions. Dr.H.K.Chaudhary, Head, Department  of Crop Improvement has been made convener  with Dr.Sanjay Sharma, Professor, Deptt of Soil Science; Dr.Rajesh Rajput, Associate Professor, Deptt of  Veterinary Anatomy; Warden, International Students’ Hostel; Programme Director, Human Resource Development & Placement Cell and Joint Director( Information & Public Relations) as other members of  ICC Executive Committee.

Dr.K.K.Katoch expressed the hope that the newly created ICC will enable the university to forge alliances with institutions within country and abroad for the common good of students and farmers.
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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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January 24, 2015

Public Relations Unit

No. QSD/PRU/713 Dated  23 Jan, 2015 

Press Release

CSKHPAU to create International Coordination Cell

Palampur 23 January. CSK H.P. Agriculture University has decided to create an International Coordination Cell (ICC) to coordinate the major university activities like academic, research and extension programmes with  the foreign institutions and universities. According to Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, this cell will finalize all modalities with whom CSKHPAU has entered or will enter into memorandum of association for effective linkages within India and abroad.

Orders have been issued to run the Food Processing Plant in the College of Home Science for sixteen hours daily on commercial lines.  This plant will process different value added products based on hill crops, fruits and vegetables.  These products are likely to be made available within next two weeks through Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) initially under the brand name ‘Him Palam’. ATIC center is already making available various items produced in the university farms and other units like improved seed, organic tea, cattle feed, eggs, biscuits, turmeric powder, honey, farm literature, etc.

All the income generating and entrepreneurial Units are being strengthened to increase domestic income of the university. The university dairy will be run on economically viable basis.   Similarly to curtail expenditure, orders have been issued   to limit expenditure on tours for attending symposia, seminars, workshops etc.  The staff has been directed not to undertake journey by air without prior approval of the competent authority. The scientists will be allowed to take outside University assignments and sidelining activities only when they complete the given university assignments. The seminars and symposiums will be organized strictly as per the guidelines of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.   

It has also been decided to organize a State level Kisan Mela in April at the University Headquarters and district level Kisan Melas will be organized by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras.  To improve the effectiveness of Project Monitoring and Evaluation Cell, it will be reconstituted soon.  A  Media Coordination Cell is also proposed to be established in the near future. Bee Research Station will be strengthened with a posting of one more scientist there. It has been decided to initiate a programme for the personality development of students with an intention to ignite minds towards effectiveness in personal and professional life. Realizing the importance and necessity for developing skills , a proposal to establish Deen Dayal Upadhyay Centre for Knowledge Acquisition and up-gradation of skilled human abilities and livelihood (Kaushal Kendra) will be submitted to the University Grants Commission.This will help in development of skills among  students  and creating work ready  manpower at large.

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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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January 07, 2015

Public Relations Unit

Significant University Activities for the month of December 2014

Key Highlights

Ø  Mr P.Mitra, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh visited the University on 7 December and  interacted with  Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor and some other senior officers of the university. The Chief Secretary  advised the University to enhance  its domestic income by increasing  farm produce and selling it  at competitive price. Mr Mitra visited the experimental farm of Horticulture department, Dairy and Fishery units and also the modern veterinary complex in the University. He said that the University was producing quality planting material and it has a demand among farming community and others. The production of such material and other farm produce needs to be increased manifold and made available.Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, briefed the Chief Secretary about  teaching, research and extension education activities. He also  told that commercial vegetable  was generating huge  revenue in the State and protected cultivation has bright future in  Himachal Pradesh.

Ø  Mrs Upma Chaudhary, Additional Chief Secreatry(Agriculture) visited the University on 11 Dec and held discussions with the Vice-Chancellor. Dr S.Baldi, Principal  Secretary (Finance) visited the University on 12 December and visited some of the departments. Mr.Rajesh Sharma,Special Secretary(Finance) & Director LAD and Mr.Anil Dutt, Additional Director LAD also also visited the University from 9-11 December.

Ø  The meeting of the Senate was held on 15 December.It was chaired by Dr.K.K.Katoch,Vice-Chancellor.

Ø  A five days Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) internship camp for 184 meritorious students from 34 schools of the districts of Kangra and Una was organized from 26-30 December.Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor, inaugurated the camp and also was Chief Guest during closing cermomny. He asked the students to pursue a career in science and help the nation in creating a rich human resource pool in various branches of the science. Dr.S.S.Kanwar, Coordinator and  Students Welfare Officer, informed  that the University has organized 12 such inspire  camps in the University with the participation of 1980  students from all over the State.

Research

Ø  A project proposal entitled “Eco-Friendly Management of Sudden Wilt of Bottle Gourd worth Rs. 4.98 lac with Dr. Suman Kumar, Assistant. Scientist, Deptt. of Plant Plant Pathology, as P.I. of the project has been sanctioned to the  University by the Project Director, ATMA, Palampur.

Ø  Three research project proposals viz. (i) “Village Information System (VIS) of selected Villages in distinct Agro-ecological Zones in District Kangra of Himachal Pradesh” amounting to Rs. 36.20 lac, ((ii) “Evaluation of Plantation raised under CAMPA in Kullu and Mandi Regions of Himachal Pradesh” amounting to Rs. 34.07 lac and (iii) “Identification, Mapping and Authentication of Fish Fauna of Himachal Pradesh through DNA Barcoding” worth Rs. 15.88 lac have been submitted to DST, New Delhi,  Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Himachal Pradesh and UGC, New Delhi, respectively for consideration and necessary funding.

 Extension Education

Ø  The Directorate of Extension Education and KVKs organized 49 training programmes which were attended by 1350  farmers.

Ø  936 farmers from all over the State visited the University and KVKs for technical guidance.

Ø  Women in Agriculture Day was celebrated  by KVK, Kullu and KVK, Mandi on 4 December.

Ø  A training programme on MS Office for the KVK staff was organized  on 28-29 November.

Ø  A team of veterinary scientists from the Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Dr.G C Negi College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences organized six clinical camps in remote villages of district Sirmour. The camps benefitted around 215 livestock keepers. These camps were organized under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) project to investigate status and incidence of infertility in bovines of Himachal Pradesh.

Ø  428  clinical cases were diagnosed & treated in clinics and 108 samples were analyzed.

Finance

Ø  Dr GCN COVAS generated an income of  Rs.15,06,260 only, College of Agriculture generated an income of Rs. 10,43,833  only and the Directorate of Extension Education generated an amount of Rs.61,826 only.

Ø   The funds received from various funding agencies were fully utilized for payment of salary, wages and retirement benefits etc. 

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January 01, 2015

Public Relations Unit

No. QSD/PRU/711 Dated  1 Jan, 2015 

Press Release

 

Dr.K.K.Katoch unfolds agenda of the University for New Year 2015

 

Palampur 1 Januray. CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University has prepared a roadmap for financial sustainability and was working on it to increase its domestic income manifold. This was disclosed by Dr.K.K.Katoch, Vice-Chancellor during his New Year address to the university staff, here today.

The Vice-Chancellor told that his university was generating an annual income of Rs.10.5 crore which it intends to increase up to Rs.35 crore in the next decade. The road map for it has been appreciated by the finance committee and many senior officers of the Govt. including Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries   have also given valuable suggestions which will be implanted for the growth of the university. The finance committee has recommended Rs. 109 crore budget for the university.

 He said that three milk ATMs will be installed in this year, including one at Palampur town and ISO has commended the university for the excellent teaching, research and extension programmes. He said modalities were being worked out to reserve some seats in B.Sc. Agriculture programme for the wards of cultivators. This year, effort will be made to conduct viva -voce examination of post graduate students through video-conferencing and this facility will be extended to Dr.G.C.Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and two research stations at Kukumseri and Lari. New admissions will be done thought online processing of applications only.

The Vice-Chancellor also informed about the major achievements of the preceding year like holding of five convocations, construction of two new students hostels, creation and strengthening of facilities for students, farmers and staff and assured to carry forward the given mandate with the cooperation of  staff. He said that 81 teachers and 171 non-teaching employees were promoted last year and the promotion case of 34 teachers was under process. The university was sanctioned research projects worth Rs. 7.89 crore and 37 animal treatment camps were organized in very remote areas of the state. Central Purchase and Disposal Unit has been established and land has been identified for the construction of university guest house at Shimla. He also thanked the State government, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and other funding agencies for support of the university from time to time.

All the statutory officers, teachers and non-teachers and some students were present during the address of the Vice-Chancellor in the university auditorium.
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Dr.Hirday Paul Singh
Jt.Director(Info & PR)
CSK H.P.Agri.University
Palampur 176062

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