Kathua, Jan 18: CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu organised a workshop-cum-seed distribution programme at KVK Kathua as part of the CSIR Floriculture Mission, which was attended by progressive farmers and entrepreneurs of district Kathua and scientists of KVK.
Dr Iqra Farooq, the Project Associate, gave a detailed technical presentation on the commercial production of marigolds and demonstrated its nursery-raising technology to the participants.
While welcoming the participants, Dr Vishal Mahajan, commended CSIR-IIIM for organising such a programme and providing quality seed material of marigolds and assistance to farmers, thereby providing unique opportunities for agri-entrepreneurship in the production of the crop due to its high marketability. Dr Mahajan assured of his support and collaboration with CSIR for such initiatives.
Tajinder Singh, while speaking at the occasion, hailed the work done under the CSIR Floriculture Mission to promote the sector throughout the UT of J&K. He advised the farmers to follow the technical advisory provided by scientists of KVK and CSIR to enhance the quality of the flower produce. He encouraged the farmers to tap the markets outside J&K as well.
Dr Suphla Gupta while interacting with the participating farmers informed them about the significant progress achieved through the implementation of different verticals of the mission over the past more than one year in different parts of J&K.
In his address, Dr Shahid Rasool, Nodal Scientist of the Mission in J&K acknowledged KVK, Kathua and the Department of Agriculture, Jammu, for the active support and coordination for the conduct of such programmes in the Jammu division.
“The CSIR under the leadership of the Union Minister of Science and Technology has developed and disseminated many technologies and has created many innovation-driven platforms for sustainable development of agriculture and farmers,” he said.
He said the CSIR Floriculture Mission, which is being implemented across the country, has provided much-needed momentum to the floriculture industry while also significantly uplifting the economic status of the farmers. He thanked the Director, CSIR IIIM, Dr D.S Reddy for his patronage and guidance. Efforts of the KVK team led by Dr Vishal Mahajan, Bhavna Verma, Ritu and Pravin Kumar were also appreciated.
On the occasion, the seeds of hybrid marigolds were distributed among 49 farmers associated with the cultivation of marigolds from the Kathua.
