SRINAGAR: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Bandipora, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), organised a technology demonstration on scientific cultivation of aquatic crops to promote aquatic plant development and livelihood opportunities through wetland-based agriculture in Kashmir.
The demonstration focused on high-potential aquatic crops including Gorgon Nut (Makhana/Fox Nut), Water Chestnut, and Lotus, which offer strong potential for agricultural diversification, income enhancement, and sustainable utilization of water-rich ecosystems around Wular Lake.
The initiative marks the first organised scientific demonstration of aquatic crop cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir and represents a significant step towards promoting wetland-based agriculture in the region.
The programme gained added significance following the MoU signed in October between         SKUAST Kashmir and ICAR–National Research Centre for Makhana (ICAR-NRCM), Darbhanga, aimed at strengthening collaborative research and development in aquatic crops.
Prof. Indu Shekhar Singh, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NRCM, Darbhanga, led the programme and conducted live field-based demonstrations on scientific cultivation practices of makhana and water chestnut under local agro-ecological conditions, highlighting their economic viability in Kashmir’s wetlands.
Prof. Syed Zameer Hussain, Professor-cum-Chief Scientist, AICRP on Post-Harvest Technology, highlighted the importance of post-harvest management and value addition to enhance profitability from aquatic crops.
Dr. Tariq Sultan, Senior Scientist and Head, KVK Bandipora-1, informed that lotus cultivation has been successfully established at the KVK demonstration farm with high production under organic conditions, strengthening prospects for expansion of aquatic crops.
KVK scientists Dr. Tahir Saleem and Ms. Shabnum Mumtaz shared technical inputs during interactive sessions. Scientists, staff, and farmers from different parts of the district actively participated.