Rajouri May 29: CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Rajouri on Monday organised a one-day training and planting material distribution programme under CSIR Floriculture Mission at Agriculture Complex, Rajouri under the patronage of Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR IIIM Jammu.
In the event, the participating farmer-beneficiaries from different areas of the district were imparted training on commercial cultivation and post-harvest technologies for Gladiolus and Marigold. 125 farmers of Agriculture Zone Muradpur, Manjakote and Budhal were also provided the quality planting material of Gladiolus and hybrid Marigold seed.
Aftab Bhat, Agriculture Extension Officer, Rajouri welcomed the CSIR Floriculture Mission team, Officers of the Department of Agriculture and participating farmers. He appreciated the initiative of CSIR IIIM Jammu for the expansion of the Mission activities in the Rajouri district.
Sanjay Bakaya, District Agriculture Officer Rajouri, in his address, exhorted that the varied agroclimatic situation in the district is suitable for the introduction of the different floricultural crops owing to their short physiological life cycle. “Crop diversification through the integration of different cut and loose flower cultivars can benefit the farmers in the realization of higher net returns from their crop fields, he said. He added that the district offers huge potential and scope for the adoption of floriculture crops and assured of active coordination with CSIR IIIM to enhance the area under the floriculture in the district.
While interacting with the farmers, Dr Shahid Rasool, Nodal Scientist Floriculture Mission informed that despite the region being suitable for commercial production of high-value cut and loose flower varieties the gross cultivated area under the floricultural crops is just under 200 hectares and CSIR Floriculture Mission, a flagship programme for farmer empowerment, launched under the patronage of Prime Minister envisages area expansion under different region specific and market-oriented crops for increasing the income of farmers, generation of increased employment opportunities, import substitution in the sector and indigenous production of quality germplasm.
He said the educated youth finds the sector attractive and with this initiative, it is poised to promote the agri-entrepreneurship ecosystem in the UT of J&K owing to its higher profitability than traditional agriculture. He also expressed his gratitude to the participating farmers and the officers of the Department of Agriculture for their efforts in the smooth execution of the activities being done under the programme.
During the technical session, the farmers were provided training on the scientific production and post-harvest management of Gladiolus and Marigold.
