SRINAGAR: Vermicompost distribution-cum-Training Programme on best practices for wheat production under All India Coordinated Wheat and Barley Improvement Project, Tribal Sub Plan-Wheat sponsored by ICAR IIWBR, Karnal and Ministry of Agriculture and farmers Welfare and was conducted today at MRCFC Khudwani, SKUAST Kashmir. Around 50 farmers belonging to ST category from the villages Hamnadi Sirgufwara, Vail Nagbal Salia of districts Anantnag and villages Nandimarg, Halan, Doodkuchan, K B Pora and Nagrus of Kulgam district participated in the programme.
The programme was inaugurated by Prof. Sarfaraz A. Wani Director Research, SKUAST-K Shalimar and Prof. Azmat Alam, OSD to Honorable Vice Chancellor and Co-PI NAHEP who extended their advice and stressed on the need for the use of vermicompost in agriculture for better yield of crops and soil health improvement. Other associated Scientists also had an interactive session with farmers and presented the technological inputs with reference to wheat production and management.
Dr. Najeeb ul Rehman Sofi, Associate Director Research, MRCFC Khudwani stressed upon the importance of AICRP Wheat and TSP Wheat Programme and its outreach to the tribal farmers of Anantnag and Kulgam districts of Kashmir region.
Dr. Shabir Hussain Wani, Scientist, GPB and PI-AICRP Wheat MRCFC Khudwani deliberated on the importance of quality seed production and use of improved varieties in wheat for increasing food and nutritional security.
The second session of the programme included the distribution of vermicompost (130q) among the tribal farmer beneficiaries.
The training was conducted by SKUAST-Kashmir with the technical support and financial assistance from Director, Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal.

KR Desk