Pulwama, Oct 20: A progressive farmer from Patalbagh village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Irshad Ahmad Dar, has been awarded by World Researchers Association for his contribution in the field of organic farming.
World Researchers Association, is an Indore based non-profit organisation, working on plants and use of plant products in the treatment of the disease.
The non -profit organisation has awarded Irshad for adoption of new hybrid varieties of different crops and promoting cultivation of organic vegetable.
Apart from the award, Irshad has been granted membership by the research association.
“ The association is working on different varieties of plants imported from different countries. I am looking to adopt few valuable species in my land on demonstration basis under guidance from associations’ experts,” he said, adding that if the demonstration turns successful then farmers in Kashmir will get benefited.
In last month Irshad was given the best farmer award during International Conference on “Advances in Agriculture Veterinary and Allied Sciences for Improving Livelihood and Environmental Security (AAVASILES-2020)” held at the University of Kashmir.
He is also recipient of Champion Farmer award which was given to him by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha last year in recognition to his outstanding contribution in the field of Saffron and vegetable production.
Irshad owns around 100 kanals of land at Patalbagh village in Pampore area. He is an early adopter of innovations. He grows hybrid varieties of pea paddy, mustard and a range of exotic vegetables besides saffron.
Irshad also shares his experience of saffron farming with officials and students of GDC Baramulla from time to time.
“As an experienced farmer I have been demonstrating before the students how to prepare beds and sow the corms,” he said, adding that from land preparation to harvesting he has been sharing his knowledge with the students since 2018. He also told that the corms for GDC Baramulla were provided by him.
From past two years the Department of Botany GDC Baramulla has been growing saffron on a patch of land to impart agro-based skill training to the college students.
