SHOPIAN: CSIR-IIIM Jammu in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra Shopian today conducted a one day demonstration cum data acquisition programme at Pinjora and Allowpora villages of Shopian district. The programme was attended by a team of scientists from both the collaborating organizations, expert and project leader Dr. Shahid Rasool, Senior Scientist, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, Dr. Zaffar Afroz Badri, Senior Scientist & Head, KVK-Shopian, Dr. Bilal Ahmad Pandit, Scientist Horticulture, KVK- Shopian, Dr. Pradeep Rajan, Principal Scientist CSIR-CMERI Ludhiana Dr. Dev Shree Kumar, Principal Scientist, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Bangalore and their team and more than fifty students from Horticulture background.

At the outset the expert and team leader, Dr. Shahid Rasool deliberated upon the use of Drone in the orchards systems for disease forecasting and its timely management with minimum use of inputs and keeping the disease incidence below economic threshold level. The programme was conducted under the aegis of the project ā€˜CSIR Mission on Region Specific Smart Agro Technologies for Enhancing Soil and Plant health.’

The main aim of the programme was to upgrade and upscale the Horticulture Professional with up to date technologies for efficient use of resources to reap better dividends under the activity of Demonstration and Data Acquisition of crop phonological parameters in high density and conventional apple orchard systems using Multispectral and Lidar imaging for disease diagnosis, monitoring and its management and Use of Soil Optical instrumentation for analyzing the soil profiling and nutrient status for best use of available resources.

Dr. Pradeep Rajan highlighted the importance of the soil optical instrument, its demonstration and data acquisition for soil proximal Mapping for High resolution, soil Maps in traditional and high density apple orchards and how efficiently it can be used for analyzing the soil status and nutrient recommendation for conserving the costs.

Dr Bilal Ahmad Pandit Scientist Horticulture elaborated how drone  technology can be used in future for prosperity of the orchardists and to curtail the manual labor costs and inputs with these high end mechanical instruments to enhance benefits ratio and will lead the horticulture sector to the next level of progress and prosperity.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). ā€œHis article, ā€˜When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.ā€.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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