Anantnag, May 09: Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC) Khudwani, SKUAST Kashmir, under the Holistic Agricultural Development Program (HADP), organised a Tilhan/Sarson Day 2024 on Thursday.
The day-long event saw active participation from farmers of Anantnag and Kulgam districts. The event was inaugurated by Prof. Naseer Ahmad Dar, Associate Director Research, SKUAST Kashmir, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Chief Agricultural Officers of Kulgam & Anantnag districts were the guests of honour on the occasion.
During the field tour, Prof. Najeebul Rehman Sofi, Associate Director Research, MRCFC-Khudwani, provided insights into the importance of Brown Sarson in the rice-based cropping system of Kashmir valley. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad demonstrated various Seed Production and Conservation Technologies for Breeder seed development at the centre.
Subsequent to the field tour, a comprehensive information and technology dissemination session was held at the conference hall of the centre. Prof. Ashaq Hussain elaborated on the agronomy and production technology of Brown Sarson/oilseed cultivation, stressing the importance of farm mechanization and non-monetary inputs. Prof. Farooq Ahmad informed the participants about the certified seed production as an entrepreneurship opportunity for farmers and highlighted the importance brown sarson varieties like Shalimar Sarson-1 and Shalimar Sarson-2 released by SKUAST Kashmir. Mr. Reyaz Ah. Malik and Mr. Sudhir Manhas, Chief Agricultural Officers of Kulgam and Anantnag districts, respectively, pledged support from the Department of Agriculture for oilseed promotional activities under HADP and emphasized the role of the department and agriculture university in the Yellow Revolution underway in the valley.
Prof. Naseer Ahmad Dar highlighted the outreach programs of the university and underscored the importance of crop diversification to ensure doubling farmers’ income, advocating for the incorporation of brown sarson as a crucial crop in the rice-based cropping system of the valley.
Prof. Tasneem Mubarak expressed gratitude to the farmers for their participation amidst busy agricultural activities and extended thanks to line departments, the scientific community, and the staff of MRCFC Khudwani for the successful conduct of the program.
