PAMPORE: On field paddy day, a team of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) Scientists visited Patalbagh Bujbagh villages of Pampore and Chandergam Tral areas of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday under the supervision of Dr Muhammad Ashraf Bhat nodel seed officer (NSP) along with associate director Research Dr Naseer Ahmad, Dr Gawhar, Irshad Ahmad Dar, member of Kisan Advisory board and other officials.
The officials collected details of new SR-4 paddy variety sown by farmers in their land at Pampore and Tral areas.
The farmers informed the officers that the new variety produced more yield than the traditional varieties of pad
Taking to Kashmir Reader at Patalbagh Dr Muhammad Ashraf Bhat nodel seed officer in (NSP) said that they visited a village Patalbagh, Bujbagh Pampore and Tral where they had distributed SR4 variety of paddy under national seed project.
“All the village farmers are growing SR-4 in their paddy fields, a high yielding paddy variety released by SKUAST-Kashmir three years ago”he said, adding that during their visit they found a high yield.
“The yield will be around 85 quintals per hectare,” he said, adding that it was intervention in increasing productivity and production of paddy.
He said that farmers cooperated with the department and all village farmers grow this variety .
He said that they hope such high yielding varieties lead them towards a revolution in paddy.
He told Kashmir Reader that Patalbagh villagers have started distributing seeds among their relatives and friends thereby decreasing load on them.
He said that informal distribution will result in producing seed in the field.
He said that agriculture department too has a significant role.
He said that SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Nazir Ahmad has given to instructions to KVK’s to reach to farmers at every nook and corner in coordination with agriculture department.
He added that at this pace they are expecting to double the paddy production within two years.
Irshad Ahmad Dar, resident of Patalbagh told Kashmir Reader that they pray for the scientist who developed SR-4 variety of Paddy.
” I congratulate NSP for adopting our village, with this variety we have reached an extra of 1 and 1/2 quintals per kannal,” Irshad said, adding that they see their production doubling which is exactly in accordance with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of doubling farmer’s income.
He appreciated Vice Chancellor SKUAST-K Nazir Ahmad Ganaie and Director extension SKUAST-Kashmir Dil Mohammad Maqdoomi for providing SR-4 variety seeds to them.
He advised other farmers for adopt the SR-4 variety for doubling their production.
Javid Ahmad, another farmer, told Kashmir Reader that they demanded SR-4 variety which was provided to them.
He said that the crop is ready for harvest.
” There is a lot of difference between SR-4 and traditional varieties,” he said, adding that with traditional varieties they were able to yield 2 quintals per kannal but SR-4 they are reaping 4 quintals per kannal.
The farmer thanked and congratulated the whole team SKUAST-Kashmir scientists for developing this variety and selecting their village for it.

BILAL HABIB