SRINAGAR: Kala Zeera Day was organized at Mountain Agriculture Research and Extension Station SKUAST-K Gurez under NMHS funded research project“Revival of Kala Zeera Cultivation ThroughGermplasm Conservation and Local Community Based Approaches under Tribal Area Conditions of Kashmir Valley”. The occasion witnessed the presence of a good number of tribal farmers from villages of Nyle, Izmarg, Chuntiwari, Jalindoora, Khopri, Achoora, Chorwanetc. In an attempt to conserve Kala zeera and promote its scientific cultivation, twenty five Front Line Demonstrations (FLDs) were distributed to the participating farmers. Professor A. H. Hakeem, Dean Faculty of Agriculture,chief guest of the occasion, stressed upon the importance of conservation of Kala zeera for economic upliftment of farmers of Gurez valley. Dr. M. Anwar Khan, Principal Investigator of the project gave a brief account of the project activities and also gave emphasis on the value addition and marketing of Kala zeera. Dr. Bilal A. Bhat Co-PI of the project spoke about the activities of the station in serving the farming community of the area. Community leaders of the area applauded the role of SKUAST-K in sensitizing farmers regarding conservation and protection of Kala zeera, the niche crop the area and these initiatives are bringing fruits through creation of Kala zeera conservation groups in the villages. The programme was presented by DrWaseem A Dar, Assistant Professor Plant Pathology, who at the end presented a vote of thanks.

KR Desk