SKUAST-K organized workshop under HADP Seed Chain and Millet Projects

Srinagar, Feb 18: SKUAST-Kashmir, under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) components viz “Development of Seed and Seed Multiplication Chain” and “Promotion of Nutri-Cereals (Millets)” organized a mega workshop at KVK, Srinagar; wherein more than 100 participants including farmers from Srinagar and Budgam districts, officers of Agriculture Department, resource persons from Dry-land Agriculture Research Station and KVKs of Srinagar and Budgam participated.
In the inaugural session, Prof. S. A. Simnani, Head, KVK, Srinagar welcomed the participants and gave an overview of various extension activities carried by out by KVKs in disseminating various university generated technologies to the farming community.
He also highlighted various activities carried by university in coordination with Department of Agriculture for effective implementation of HADP Projects. Addressing the gathering, Prof. M. Ashraf Bhat, Head, Division of Plant Biotechnology & Principal Investigator of two HADP Projects, gave an overview of various technologies developed by SKUAST-K with respect to climate resilient agriculture and nutritional security.
He emphasized that all stakeholders need to join hands to safe-guard the so socio-economic concerns of the farming community under changing climatic scenario. He also deliberated upon the importance of revival of millet cultivation in traditional areas and cultivation of millets in non-traditional areas. He laid stress upon the nutritional importance and other health benefits of millets including high fiber, low glycemic index and drought tolerance. Dr. Z. A. Dar, Head DARS, Budgam highlighted the importance of cultivation of maize hybrids, quality protein maize and pro-vitamin maize for better health system.
Dr. Ajaz A. Lone talked about quality seed production and adoption of integrated nutrient and pest managements modules for increasing pulse production. Prof. Naseer Ahmad Dar, Chief Scientist, Directorate of Research, elaborated on relevance of SKUAST-K released varieties in food security of J&K. While giving overview of various activities at KVK, Budgam Dr. Waseema Yousuf, SMS laid emphasis in creation of FPO’s for better redressal of various issues faced by farming communities; particularly availability of inputs (Seed, fertilizers, etc.
The technical session was followed by interaction session amongst farmers, Officers of KVK, PI HADP Projects and Officers of Agriculture Department. The Farmers expressed satisfaction over conducting such workshops at Block level that will enable provision of quality seed of various crops developed at SKUAST-K for increasing food production in fragile ecosystem. It was strongly recommended that all stake holders (SKUAST-Kashmir, Agriculture Department and Farmers) must work in unison to safeguard food and nutritional security in the region. The event concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. Asima Rafiq, Scientist, KVK, Srinagar.