Srinagar, Dec 03: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) , Kashmir will establish walnut orchards of global standards under different DBT-sponsored projects in order to give further push to walnut industry in the valley.
Dr Shamim Simnani, Professor Division of Fruit Sciences SKUAST Kashmir said the varsity will establish walnut orchards of little-bearing varieties as they yield more crops.
“In little bearing varieties, the entire branch gets fruit and yields are much higher than the present plantation which is the principal objective of this project. We will introduce the varieties which are competing in the international market,” he said.
SKUAST will be introducing few varieties from the US which fetch good price in the international market so that walnut industry can also compete at the global level.
Dr Shamim said initially SKUAST will introduce germ plasm bank at Shuhama of different varieties from other countries for getting rich yields.
“After the establishment of germ plasm bank, we will multiply the plants at three sides initially at Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), SKUAST Farm, Shuhama at KVK Ganderbal, Kulangam Research Centre Handwara as mother plants,” the Professor said.
“We will then get buffer mother stock. Once we are successful in the initiative then we will be doing mass multiplication and distribution among the farmers,” he said.
He said the Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir Prof. (Dr) Nazir A Ganai has inspired the scientists to move ahead and compete in food and plantation material for walnut at national and international level.
“We will get better improved varieties which are far better than the existing varieties. Then the variety would be evaluated whether they are promising or not,” Dr Shamim said.
“We are yet to decide the varieties but these would be world-class that excel better in the world market. It will help to push the walnut industry further. The new varieties will have better kernel and colour and quality and the crop. It is our ambition project let’s see how successful it would be,” he said.
In view of the same, SKUAST has invited applications from progressive farmers for the establishment of walnut orchard/nursery under on first cum first serve basis within the project period.
