SRINAGAR: Mountain Research Center for Field Crops (MRCFC) Khudwani under the leadership of Director Research, Professor Sarfaraz Ahmad Wani has started distribution of vegetable seed kits among tribal farming community across various districts of Kashmir valley. The programme is being carried out under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) scheme sponsored by ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley, Karnal in collaboration with various KrishiVigyanKendras (KVKs) of SKUAST-Kashmir. About 400 tribal farmers have been identified by KVKs as target beneficiaries. The programme aims at socio-economic upliftment of the tribal people. The distribution of seed kits among tribal farmers of Kulgam&Anantnag was held on 05th of August 2022 at MRCFC Khudwani. On this occasionAssociate Director Research (ADR) MRCFC Khudwani,scientists of the centre, and scientists from KVK Kulgam, and KVK Anantnag were present. Speaking at the event, ProfessorNajeeb-ul-RehmanSofi, ADR, emphasized on the importance of quality seeds and other inputs in profitable crop production. He impressed upon the farmers to adopt modern scientific approaches to ensure sustainability & profitability in farming sector. Dr. F.A. Mohi-Ud-Din informed the farmers about common diseases and pests of vegetable crops in Kashmir valley & their control measures. Dr. Shakoor A Khandeyand Dr. Shabir A Ganai thanked the tribal farmers for participating in the event & advised them to follow the SKUAST-K advisories & recommendations in letter& spirit. Earlier, one such programmeswasheld at Nargisthan,Tral, and Drubgam of Pulwamaon in collaboration with KVK Pulwama and more such programmeswill be conducted in Kupwara and Ganderbal districts of Kashmir valley in the coming days.

KR Desk