SRINAGAR: The Governor, N. N. Vohra, has called for engendering very close coordination between the research and extension agencies to effectively transfer new techniques and know how from lab to land to make Jammu and Kashmir fully self-reliant in agriculture and all the allied sectors within the next 3-4 years and even start exporting certain agriculture produce items. The Governor was addressing after launching the "Organic Agriculture Programme" at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir here today. The First Lady, Usha Vohra, was present on the occasion. The Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the University, observed that all the regions of the State have vast potential and tremendous opportunities for enhancing agri-productivity and production. He added that transformation in this sector could have a cascading effect for greater economic activity and employment opportunities. He emphasized the need for optimally benefiting from varied climatic zones by taking area specific initiatives in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, apiculture, floriculture, mushroom cultivation, dairy farming, poultry, sheep husbandry, etc. by utilizing available scientific knowledge and adopting improved techniques, without much larger investments, to make J&K a prosperous State in the next few years. In this context, he said that the Agriculture Universities of the State have to play a crucial role in securing the desired results. The Governor complimented Sompal, former Union Minister of State for Agriculture and ex-Member of the Planning Commission of India, for his learned keynote address. He congratulated the Vice Chancellor, SKUAST, Dr. Tej Partap, for launching the Organic Agriculture Programme. The Governor released two publications brought out by the University on the occasion. The Vice Chancellor felicitated the Governor and Mr. Sompal on the occasion by presenting mementos to them. Earlier, the Governor laid the foundation stone of the Academic Wing-B of the University. This 3-storey Complex will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.8.85 crore within a period of 3 years. He also inaugurated the newly constructed Guest House of the University, "Zafran Ghar," at the Campus. This double-storey building has 6 suites and has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.32 crore. Interacting with the Vice Chancellor and the concerned engineers, the Governor stressed the need to ensure that all new buildings must provide for utilization of solar energy and besides the entire campus must provide for rain water harvesting. In his keynote address, Mr. Sompal dwelt on the need for promotion of organic agriculture on sustainable basis. He also threw light on the evolution of the organic movement in the country and world wide and its present status. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Dr. Tej Partap, gave an overview of the progress of the varsity and its organic programme. He gave details of the new infrastructure being raised and fresh initiatives taken in teaching and research for the overall benefit of the farming community.