Pulwama, Aug 14: A couple of progressive farmers from two different villages in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district are experimenting with off season pea cultivation in their vegetable land.
Irshad Ahmad Dar, a progressive farmer from Patalbagh village and Farooq Ahmad from Lethpora village of Pulwama have sown pea seeds in their vegetable land on demonstration basis.
This is for the first time farmers in this southern district have been experimenting cultivation of off season peas in open field conditions.
Usually Peas are sown in Kashmir during October-November or March-April and harvested in May to June.
However, Irshad and Farooq have started experimenting to get a one more crop of peas in Kashmir during off season which can prove very beneficial for the farmer community provided it turns successful.
Talking to Rising Kashmir Irshad Ahmad Dar said that he sowed hybrid pea seeds on 10 Marlas of his vegetable land during the second week of this August with an eye to get the yield in October-November.
“During this season we import peas from other parts of the country at a comparatively high rate,” he said, adding that if they are able to get the pea crop during October-November it will serve two purposes.
He added that the first benefit will be that farmers will get a good rate for their produce and second will be that consumers will get locally grown peas at comparatively less price.
Irshad informed that one more farmer from Lethpora followed the suit and sowed hybrid pea seeds on 5 Marlas of his vegetable land.
“The seeds have started sprouting and the demonstration crop is showing promising growth,” Irshad said, adding that the pea plant completes its life cycle in 70 days.
He added that the plant needs a moderate temperature. “As temperature falls in Kashmir during October we have to see how it affects the growth of the crop,” he said.
