30 farmers benefit from awareness programme at Wadura
Focus on quality seeds, soil testing and sustainable farming practices
Srinagar : The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) organised a one-day awareness-cum-input distribution programme at the Faculty of Agriculture (FoA), Wadura, aimed at promoting improved crop varieties and strengthening farmers’ access to scientific agricultural technologies.
Organised by the Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Rangreth, under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Forage Crops and Utilisation, in collaboration with the Division of Agronomy, the programme benefited 30 farmers from Baramulla district.
As part of the initiative, farmers were provided seeds of improved oat varieties, seed storage bins and knapsack sprayers to encourage the adoption of better agricultural practices and improve farm productivity.
Nominated MLA Dr Farida Khan attended the programme as the chief guest, while Director Extension, SKUAST-K, Dr Raihana Habib Kanth, was the guest of honour. Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, Dr Najeeb-ur-Rehman, attended as the special guest. Dr Saleem Khuroo, Chief Scientist and Principal Investigator, AICRP on Forages, was also present.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Farida Khan highlighted the importance of farmer-oriented awareness programmes and appreciated the national-level ‘Khet Bachao Abhiyan’, being implemented across districts.
She emphasised the need to ensure the availability of quality seeds of high-yielding and improved crop varieties, besides encouraging soil testing, organic farming and natural farming practices.
She also appreciated SKUAST-Kashmir’s efforts in developing farmer-friendly technologies, stating that scientific interventions were playing an important role in improving the livelihoods of farming communities in the Valley.
A detailed technical lecture on scientific oat cultivation was delivered by Dr Zahida Rashid, Co-Principal Investigator, AICRP on Forages. She also familiarised farmers with the latest technologies developed by the University and their practical application in agricultural fields.
The programme aimed to strengthen the linkage between agricultural research and farming communities by ensuring that improved varieties, scientific knowledge and farm inputs reach farmers at the grassroots level.
SKUAST-Kashmir, under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, has been organising such outreach initiatives to promote improved agricultural practices, enhance productivity and strengthen farmers’ livelihoods across the Valley.
