PAMPORE: An on-farm trial for grass in an apple orchard was laid out in Lethpora village of Pampore in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
A team of experts led by Dr. Suheel Ahmad, Sr Scientist, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI) Regional Station Srinagar and accompanied by progressive farmer and member Kisan Advisory Board Irshad Ahmad Dar visited Lethpora village where the trial was started.
Officials told Kashmir Reader that several perennial forage crops like red clover, lolium, orchard grass were introduced in the interspaces of apple orchard for mitigation of fodder deficiency.
“This will help in augmentation of fodder in the region,” officials said.
They added that it will help in improving soil fertility and suppression of weeds.
The farmers hailed the initiative of the ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI) Regional Station Srinagar
Dr. Suheel Ahmad, Senior Scientist, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), Regional Station Srinagar told Kashmir Reader that there is shortage of dry fodder in Kashmir because growing grass is very less.
“The dairy and sheep farming can be developed only when we have sufficient fodder,” he said, adding that they started a trail of growing various kinds of grass in the apple orchid of a farmer, Gulzar Ahmad, at Lethpora.
He added that the grasses are leguminous and will add to fertility of land.
He advised farmers that they can visit their offices for guidance and help.

BILAL HABIB