Srinagar, Aug 26: The Agro Field Unit Srinagar, Section of Agronomy and Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh advisory for different farming activities including saffron, paddy, vegetables, poultry, sericulture and asked farmers to follow precautions.
Regarding rice it suggested farmers to ensure that there is no water stress at the heading stage adding that from flowering to milking stage, maintain a thin layer of water in the field.
For saffron, it advised farmers that uprooting of corms for fresh plantation should be done and ensure safe storage of corms under ambient room conditions in cool places with proper aeration.
“Spread corms as a thin layer on gunny bags. Ensure sorting of bigger and healthy corms. Ensure proper and quick rooting, loose scales along with mother corm residues should be removed from the corms and control rodents identify live burrows.
It also asked farmers to cut the pouch and immediately place it in the burrow after ensuring that a certain amount of moisture is present where the pouch is kept.
Regarding transplantation of vegetables it advised farmers that hand pollination may be done in bottle gourd to enhance yields and provide proper staking to bottle gourd, cucumber, bittergourd etc. and indeterminate tomatoes.
“Clipping of lower, aged, damaged leaves to improve ventilation in tomato plants and maintain weed-free conditions in all vegetable crop fields. Harvesting of onions may be done in dry weather. Harvest ripe rabi seed crops in dry weather. Maintain proper drainage in all vegetable fields,” the advisory said.
Regarding cattle, it advised farmers to keep the grazing animals under proper vigil due to the extra chances of bloat/tympany.
“To prevent chances of heat stress, provide the grazing time during early morning and late evenings and provide ample cold water to the animals. Keep the proper drainage of sheds and paddocks and provide a comfortable and cool shelter including proper ventilation to animals against scorching heat to prevent chances of heat stress,” it added.
For management of diarrhoea, the advisory suggested reducing intake of fresh grass, proper and suitable deworming should be done and treating the affected animal with preparations of neblon and electrolytes.
Regarding sheep and goat, it advised farmers to avoid grazing areas with lush growth of clovers.
“For effective prevention against foot rot in sheep, keep the sheds/paddocks and animals hygienic and in case of infections clean the feet of the animal with potassium permanganate/copper sulphate after removing the dirt and mud from their feet,” it said.
The advisory asked to keep proper drainage of sheds and paddocks and provide a comfortable shelter to animals during rain to prevent chances of pneumonia.
“Salt licks can be provided to the animals or iodized powder salt sprayed to the grazing area of sheep for better growth and weight gain,” it said.
Regarding poultry, the advisory suggested farmers to ensure proper ventilation in sheds to avoid accumulation of harmful gases and follow proper vaccination schedule against diseases.
For floriculture, it advised farmers to inspect tulip bulbs in storage and discard diseased and rotten ones if any. “Keep moist and weed-free flower beds by watering, weeding and hoeing regularly as and when needed. Start preparation of beds for sowing seeds of spring flowering annuals,” it said.
Regarding sericulture, it said that silkworm rearing had almost come to an end and farmers are requested to harvest the cocoons so that damage due to moth emergence can be avoided.
“Cocoons should be dried completely before storage. Farmers can also start drying of cocoons in direct sunlight by spreading black cloth over them, so that damage due to direct sunlight can be avoided,” it said.
Farmers are also advised to store the harvested cocoons and locally cocoons can be stored in gunny bags by hanging them under tin roofs to avoid any rodent and pest damage.
“Cocoon sorting/grading should be done efficiently to fetch maximum returns at the time of marketing. Disinfection of rearing appliances should be done before starting of 2nd commercial rearing,” it added.
For mushroom cultivation, the advisory suggested proper preventive measures against the spread of any pest/disease, competitor mould and its further dissemination to other trays and bags.
“Mushroom butts should not be left on the bags/trays and harvested portions should be cased immediately. Open and diseased mushrooms should immediately be harvested and dipped in formalin solution. Disinfected tools should be used for harvesting,” it added.
Regarding fisheries it said sustained plankton (natural food) production in ponds and feeding quality as per recommended regime helps in achieving optimised production targets.
“Keep the pond rich in plankton through mixed utilization of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers. Use farm made pellet feeds to reduce feed wastage and achieve better feed conversion efficiency,” it said.
Further, it said in case of any disease outbreak or mortality, farmers are advised to contact Fish Hospital, Division of AAHM, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-K. The advisory also said that queries related to lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) farmers should contact the telemedicine portal on SKUAST K (skuastkashmir.ac.in).
