Pulwama, Feb 19: In response to the looming challenge of feeding a growing population amidst diminishing resources, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has embarked on a mission to ensure food and nutritional security in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
Professor Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, Head Division of Plant Biotechnology, SKUAST-K, informed Rising Kashmir that according to projections, the population of J&K is set to surge from 1.5 crores in 2024 to 1.9 crores by 2050, placing immense pressure on the already strained land and water resources.
He said that the adverse impacts of climate change further exacerbate this predicament, posing threats to agriculture and allied sectors.
However, he said that amidst these challenges, hope emerges with the initiation of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) projects in 2023.
“With the start of Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) Projects in J&K, there are expectations that the growth of agriculture will keep pace with the increase in population.
HADP will help to develop climate-smart varieties which will have inbuilt tolerance for various biotic and abiotic stresses,” he said.
Professor Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, the Principal Investigator of two key HADP projects, “Development of Seed and Seed Multiplication Chain in PPP Mode” and “Promotion of Nutri-Cereals (Millets),” urged adopting technologies developed at SKUAST-K to address the socio-economic concerns of the farming community amidst changing climatic conditions.
He advocated for the revival of millet cultivation in both traditional and non-traditional areas, citing its nutritional benefits such as high fiber content, low glycemic index, drought tolerance, and adaptability to changing climates.
The scientist explained that in view of the increase in population by 2050 and corresponding decrease in natural resources, millets assume great significance as alternative food to rice and bread.
Millets, small-seeded crops of the Gramineae family, are environmentally resilient species as they require less water and fertilizers.
These are seen as a smart food for future generations with significant health benefits which include Anemia prevention, Digestive health, Cholesterol control, help in Detoxification and Diabetes management besides having anti-Cancer Properties.
Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) and Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) were traditionally grown in hilly areas of Kashmir and Ladakh from ancient times. However, over the past many years, the cultivation of these traditional millet varieties declined and posed a threat of their extinction from these areas.
This prompted authorities to start a revival project for millets. Simultaneously, SKUAST-K introduced Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum) and Barnyard millet (Echinochloa frumentacea) in plains of Kashmir and is working to develop a practice package for these crops.
“We are analysing the data and soon the practice package for the millets will be made available for farmers,” he said.
