PAMPORE: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology Kashmir (SKUAST -K) under the chairmanship of Director Extension SKUAST-K Dil Mohammad Maqdoomi distributed high yielding paddy seed among farmers in Patalbagh Pampore and Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday.
Director planning SKUAST-K Dr Haroon, Professor, head KVK Pulwama Dr Masrat Shafi, Kisan Advisory Board member Irshad Ahmad Dar and other officials were present on the occasion.
Taking to Kashmir Reader Director Extension SKUAST-K Dil Mohammad Maqdoomi said that the programme was jointly held by varasity’s KVK centre Malangpora and National Seed Project (NSP).
He added that during the programme they distributed seeds of paddy variety, SR4, prepared by SKUAST.
” The SR 4 variety seeds were distributed free of cost among 71 beneficiaries at Tral and in Patalbagh Pampore,” Dil Mohammad Maqdoomi told Kashmir Reader, adding that 26 hectares of land at each place have been brought under cultivation of SR4 variety of paddy.
He said that SR4 variety is climate resilient and less susceptible to diseases.
” This variety has the potential to tolerate adverse weather conditions,” he said, adding that the variety has more yield as compared to the varieties farmers were sowing previously.
” The yield is around 5 quintals per kanal which is double than what farmers were getting with usual varieties,” he said.
Irshad Ahmad, a progressive farmer from Patalbagh and member of Kisan advisory board told Kashmir Reader that he had sowed the variety in his fields last year and was quite satisfied with the yield.
” The yield was 4 to 5 quintals per kannal,” he said, adding that with hard work and adherence to guidelines, farmers can achieve more yield with this variety.
He appreciated and thanked the Director extension and the entire staff of SKUAST for free distribution of the paddy seeds.
He hoped that the University will develop new technology in the coming time and transfer it to farmers for raising their economic conditions.

BILAL HABIB