Chief Secretary visits UHF

Nauni (Himachal Pradesh): Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh Shri Anil Khachi appreciated the efforts of the scientists for the development of horticulture and forestry in the state. He was on a one-day visit to the Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni on Thursday. 
 
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Parvinder Kaushal apprised the Chief Secretary about the progress made in academics, research and extension. He emphasized the various initiatives taken by the university during the COVID 19 pandemic to minimize its effects on the university's functioning. 
 
Dr. Kaushal emphasized the need to provide research grants and sought necessary help from the state government in mass multiplication of planting material, especially in apple and stone fruits so that the state's dependence on importing planting material from outside could be reduced. Dr. Kaushal also presented university publications including the Kisan Notebook to him. 
 
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary appreciated the work of the university on the human resources development front and for the creation of knowledge in the agriculture horticulture and forestry sectors. He lauded the university for securing high rankings in the national rankings. He urged the scientists to look for focus areas that could distinguish the university from other institutions in the country. He was of the view that the university should make efforts to file patents for several technologies and processes developed by the university in horticulture and forestry so that the university can further its reach. 
 
The Chief Secretary also visited several farms of the university including vegetable science, hi-tech floriculture, kiwi plantation block and high-density apple plantation. He also inspected the Post Entry Quarantine sites for imported planting material and lauded the university for its efforts in ensuring a good survival rate in the imported rootstock. He also viewed the experiments of agroforestry, and also visited the Model farm where the planting material prepared by the university is being distributed to the farmers. 
 
Earlier, the Chief Secretary also visited the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan at Kandaghat where he was apprised about the various activities being conducted at the station. The Statutory officers and the Heads of various departments were also present during the visit.