Srinagar, Dec 31: Agriculture Department Kashmir will develop Jammu and Kashmir’s first model Seed Multiplication Farm (SMF) in Tapper area in Baramulla district as an agri-tourism destination site as it has witnessed quality bumper seed and vegetable production.
Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal, who recently visited the SMF made these remarks during his visit to the farm.
He said the Agriculture Department did the remodelling of the farm in 2021 and then its 50 percent of the area was under shrubs and was later expanded.
“Over the years the department initiated several interventions. The area was expanded and was brought under seed multiplication,” he said.
Iqbal said this is the first such model farm in J&K having the potential to grow different vegetables and the department has harvested three times more in the farm.
“We are committed to quality seed production so that farmers have access to quality seed. We have made all the arrangements for the same. I am hopeful that we will keep the promises and expectations of farmers,” he said.
The director expressed plans to enhance and further develop the farm, intending to transform it into an agritourism site. They are committed to making all the necessary arrangements to facilitate this development.
The government seed multiplication farm is spread over 162 kanals of land that produces hybrid seedlings that are given to farmers and seeds are taken to the department. High-tech polyhouses are used for producing seedlings.
“At all the departmental vegetable, spices and seed farms were able to produce seed in abundant quantities. We have also started giving the seed to the Directorate of Agriculture Jammu,” he said.
“We are focussed on producing quality seed. Under the HADP, we want to create more and more entrepreneurs and we want to connect them with the quality seed chain,” Iqbal said.
He said the agriculture sector has the potential to turn youth into job providers rather than job seekers and the government is committed to connecting youth with agriculture and allied sectors.
The director noted that in the past, the valley encountered difficulties in obtaining vegetables during winter. However, in recent times, efforts have been made to address this issue by preparing fields and extracting seeds on farms. “This is a mission and we will succeed in this mission,” he said.
The Director expressed satisfaction over the transformation of the farm and appreciated its role in the successful implementation of different modern technologies.
“These farms have to play a bigger role in the coming days in catering demand of farmers for seeds besides work as model centres for cultivation of crops,” he said.
Due to climate change and the decline in land resources, agriculture operations need to be strategically diversified so that the impact can be minimized.
Annually, the SMF produces 2 lakh seedlings. Many people including farmers visit the farm and have been inspired and surprised by the best practices followed at the farm.
The farm produces both kharif and rabi seeds as per the cropping plans of the agriculture department. The seeds are sowed, harvested, washed, dried and then go to the farmers through the divisional agriculture department.
The farm provides seeds and seedlings to farmers on subsidized rates. They directly visit the farmer. Preference is given to farmers of surrounding villages.
