SRINAGAR: Prof. J. P Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir visited Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops, Khudwani to inaugurate wheat field day. He was accompanied by Prof. Sarfaraz A. Wani Director Research, Prof. Dil M. Makhdoomi, Director Extension, Prof. Nazir A. Ganai, Director Planning tocommemorate the occasion. Farooq A Dandroo, Chief Agriculture Officer, Kulgam, Agriculture Production Department was also present on the occasion. Prof. Nazir A. Bhat, Associate Director Research (MRCFC) made a detailed presentation of the progress and achievements of the centre.
He highlighted the role of early maturing wheat in the adoption of rice wheat cropping system in the valley. The Vice Chancellor in his address further highlighted the role of high yielding rice varieties Shalimar Rice -1, Shalimar Rice-2, Shalimar Rice -3, Shalimar Rice-4 and Shalimar Rice -5 in enhancing the rice productivity and congratulated the scientists for breeding these revolutionary varieties. Further, he impressed upon the scientists to breed for the varieties that are high in nutritional quality. He emphasized on the adoption of resource conserving technologies such as,System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) forsaving water, seed and labourcoupled with realizing higher yields. Chief Guest highlighted the role of agricultural diversification and value addition in enhancing farmers’ income and livelihood security.Significant achievements made in breeding of high yielding and disease resistant varieties in rice, rapeseed and wheat were also applauded by the ViceChancellor. In the end while interacting with the farmers, he emphasized on the role of adoption of University bred varieties and shift towards high value crops on small farms for enhancing their income.

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