Jammu, Jan 25: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Jammu, conducted a farmers’ interactive workshop in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Kathua, under the CSIR Floriculture Mission. The event aimed to provide technical expertise on the production, crop management, and value addition of floricultural crops.
Approximately 150 farmers from various agrarian zones in Kathua district participated in the day-long program, receiving hands-on training on the scientific cultivation of floricultural crops.
The workshop included the distribution of high-yielding marigold varieties to the farmers. Raghunandan Singh, Vice Chairman, DDC Kathua, attended the event as the chief guest and lauded the efforts of CSIR-IIIM in providing technical knowledge and quality inputs for the district’s farmers. He emphasized the significance of such programs in creating awareness about government initiatives for farmer welfare.
Dr Zabeer Ahmad, Director CSIR-IIIM, highlighted CSIR’s decade-long commitment to farmer welfare through various mission programs. He informed the participants that CSIR’s technological accomplishments would be showcased in its tableau at the Republic Day parade.
Rakesh Minhas, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, expressed satisfaction with the workshop’s impact, providing farmers with innovative technological know-how in commercial floriculture. He pledged support for skill-oriented programs in value addition to flowers.
Tejinder Singh Wazir, member J&K Kisaan Advisory Board, praised the efforts to develop the floriculture sector in the UT, expressing gratitude to Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, for contributing to the economic upliftment of the farmer community.
Dr Shahid Rasool, Nodal Scientist of the Mission, emphasized the adoption of advanced scientific and technological approaches for quality crop yields. The CSIR Floriculture Mission actively supports farmers in J&K UT, aiming to enhance income generation and provide gainful employment opportunities.
The workshop included technical sessions, featuring lectures on the scientific cultivation of marigolds and the use of bio-inoculants in floriculture crops. Method demonstrations for quality nursery production and management were also provided.
The event received patronage from Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu. Sanjeev Rai Gupta, Chief Agriculture Officer, Kathua, delivered the welcome address, thanking the CSIR IIIM mission team for organizing the event for the benefit of floriculture farmers in Kathua.
