SKUAST-K conducts awareness programme in Kupwara’s Machil

Kupwara, July 05: A one-day awareness programme under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) Project– ‘Rainfed Area Development’ – was Saturday conducted by the Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Rangreth, Srinagar in the remote and high-altitude area of Machil in northern district of Kupwara.A statement issued here said that at the onset, Dr. F. A. Raina welcomed the participating farmers and briefed them about the event. The programme was conducted in coordination with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kupwara. A large number of farmers from the Machil area attended the programme. They were educated about the latest scientific techniques, improved agronomic practices, and high- yielding varieties of pulse crops suitable for rainfed conditions. The initiative aimed to boost sustainable agricultural practices, enhance pulse productivity and improve livelihoods in the area. Dr. Ajaz Ahmad Lone, in his address, emphasized the importance of adopting climate-resilient crops and sustainable farming methods, especially in rainfed and hilly regions like Machil. Experts from KVK Kupwara and DARS provided field-level demonstrations and interacted with the farmers to resolve their queries. More than 60 farmers from adjoining villages were provided with quality seed material and production technology pamphlets. Subject matter specialists Dr. M. A. Wani and Dr. Shahid Hakeem held onsite interactions with farmers regarding their issues. The programme concluded with a call for continued collaboration between researchers and farmers to ensure long-term agricultural development and self-reliance in food production.