SRINAGAR: SKUAST-Kashmir, under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) components viz. “Development of Seed and Seed Multiplication Chain” and “Promotion of Nutri-Cereals (Millets),” organized a mega workshop at KVK, Srinagar. More than 100 participants, including farmers from Srinagar and Budgam districts, officers of the Agriculture Department, and resource persons from Dry-land Agriculture Research Station and KVKs of Srinagar and Budgam, participated.
In the inaugural session, Prof. S. A. Simnani, Head, KVK, Srinagar, welcomed the participants and gave an overview of various extension activities carried out by KVKs in disseminating various university-generated technologies to the farming community. He also highlighted various activities carried out by the University in coordination with the Department of Agriculture for the effective implementation of HADP Projects.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. M. Ashraf Bhat, Head, Division of Plant Biotechnology & Principal Investigator of two HADP Projects, gave an overview of various technologies developed by SKUAST-K with respect to climate-resilient agriculture and nutritional security. He emphasized that all stakeholders need to join hands to safeguard the socio-economic concerns of the farming community under changing climatic scenarios. He also deliberated upon the importance of the revival of millet cultivation in traditional areas and cultivation of millets in non-traditional areas. He laid stress upon the nutritional importance and other health benefits of millets including high fiber, low glycemic index, and drought tolerance.
Dr. Z. A. Dar, Head, DARS, Budgam, highlighted the importance of cultivation of maize hybrids, quality protein maize, and pro-vitamin maize for a better health system. Dr. Ajaz A. Lone talked about quality seed production and adoption of integrated nutrient and pest management modules for increasing pulse production.
Prof. Naseer Ahmad Dar, Chief Scientist, Directorate of Research, elaborated on the relevance of SKUAST-K released varieties in food security of J&K. While giving an overview of various activities at KVK, Budgam, Dr. Waseema Yousuf, SMS, laid emphasis on the creation of FPOs for better redressal of various issues faced by farming communities; particularly availability of inputs (Seed, fertilizers, etc.) The technical session was followed by an interaction session amongst farmers, Officers of KVK, PI HADP Projects, and Officers of the Agriculture Department.
The farmers expressed satisfaction over conducting such workshops at the Block level that will enable the provision of quality seed of various crops developed at SKUAST-K for increasing food production in a fragile ecosystem. It was strongly recommended that all stakeholders (SKUAST-Kashmir, Agriculture Department, and Farmers) must work in unison to safeguard food and nutritional security in the region. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Asima Rafiq, Scientist, KVK, Srinagar.
SKUAST-K organizes workshop under HADP seed chain, millet projects
