Pampore: Farmers in Samboora area of Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district are lauding the SR 4 variety of paddy for its multiple advantages over traditional seeds.
Speaking to Kashmir Reader, progressive farmer Javid Ahmad Ganaie, a resident of Samboora Pampore, shared his enthusiasm, “I have a deep connection with farming. Let me introduce you to SR 4, a variety of paddy we cultivated this year. Developed by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, and extended to us by the Department of Agriculture, SR 4 has surprised us pleasantly.”
“Initially, there were apprehensions among farmers regarding government seeds, but when we planted SR 4 in our fields, we discovered several advantages compared to our traditional seeds,” Ganaie explained. “Firstly, SR 4 matures 20 days earlier than our traditional variety, a significant advantage for our farming schedules.” He continued, “Another major advantage is its robust root system. While our traditional paddy tends to fall over when ripe, causing labor and inconvenience, SR 4 stands tall due to its strong roots.”
Javid highlighted the third advantage, emphasizing yield. “With SR 4, we obtain 4 quintals of paddy per kanal. Calculating for one hectare, we can harvest 80 quintals of paddy, marking a significant revolution in our agricultural practices,” he enthused. “I have personally observed in my field that we can harvest 4 quintals per kanal, which means 80 quintals of paddy from 29 kanals. This is a remarkable improvement compared to our traditional varieties.”
Addressing fellow farmers, Ganaie passionately urged them, “If you want to advance your farming, I strongly recommend using SR 4 as your seed of choice.” He added, “Looking ahead, our aspiration is to transform J&K into a self-sufficient rice-producing state. Currently, we import rice from outside, but we want our state to produce surplus rice for its needs.”
Highlighting the widespread adoption of SR 4, Ganaie mentioned, “More farmers are inclined towards this variety after witnessing its impressive yield. I believe more farmers will choose SR 4 for their paddy in the coming years.”
Dr. Gowhar Ali, Incharge of NSP, shared, “We have distributed SR 4 free of cost in many areas, including Pampore, Tral, Budgam, Ganderbal, and several other regions. Under the guidance of Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganaie and Director Extension, Dil Mohammad Maqdoomi, we conduct awareness programs and provide farmers with detailed information about SR 4’s significant advantages. Currently, around 50% of farmers are using the SR 4 variety, and its popularity continues to grow.”
Pampore farmers embrace SR 4 paddy variety for enhanced yields, prosperity
