'Scientific innovation much needed for J&K's overall growth'

With majority of Jammu and Kashmir's population being rural based, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said intervention of science and technology in various fields including agriculture and energy generation was much required for overall growth of the state.
"In Jammu and Kashmir, about 70 per cent of population is rural and agriculture is their mainstay. Horticulture and related activities are also of pivotal importance in the state's economy," Abdullah said.
Intervention of scientific innovations and technological advancement in these fields are imperative for overall development and growth of the state, he added.
Research in labs should smoothly transfer to people and scientific innovations be utilised for the amelioration of common people," he said while speaking at the valedictory function of 101st Indian Science Congress in Jammu University.

The function was chaired by Vice President Hamid Ansari and attended by J&K Governor N N Vohra and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah among other dignitaries.
Abdullah said the state has the scope of generating energy from the abundantly available bio-mass in the shape of weeds in Dal and other lakes.

"My endeavour is to invite scientific intervention in converting these weeds into the energy for the economic welfare of the state. I have taken up this issue with various scientists and technological institutions," he said.
He asked the Indian Science Congress to venture in this field and provide a feasible mechanism.

The Chief Minister also sought scientific intervention in agricultural and horticultural practices in high altitudes areas like Leh and Kargil.