SKUAST organises awareness prog on combating fodder shortage

Srinagar, Apr 18: An Awareness-cum-input distribution programme under Tribal Sub-Plan of AICRP on Forage crops was organized by Dry Land Agricultural Research Station, Rangreth in collaboration with Department of Agriculture, Ganderbal at Manigam Soil Testing Laboratory, District Ganderbal.
Prof. M. Ashraf Bhat, Associate Director Research, DARS, Rangreth SKUAST-K impressed upon tribal farmers to use latest developed varieties, effective production Technologies, mechanized farming and various schemes under Holistic Agriculture Development Programme to double their income.
He desired that farmers have to move hand in glow with latest scientific developments to progress leaps and bounds. The tribals of Awarden and Laar zones of District Ganderbal participated in the programme.
Mr. Zahoor Ahmad (SMS Ganderbal) welcomed the participants followed by an overview and importance of ongoing tribal programmes by Dr. Zahida Rashid, Sr. Scientist, DARS.
She stressed and encouraged the tribal farmers to adopt the latest technologies provided by SKUAST-K for improving their livelihood with respect to fodder cultivation. Dr. Zahida Rashid also briefed the farmers on scientific cultivation of fodder maize and adoption of technologies related to its cultivation.
Shahnawaz Ahmad Shah, Chief Agricultural Officer, Ganderbal, deliberated upon various Govt. Schemes for the upliftment of tribals and the ongoing agricultural activities of the area. During Scientists-farmers interaction various genuine issues of tribal farmers were redressed. They expressed their satisfaction and happiness for conducting such type of programmes and desired to participate in such programmes in future. The programme concluded with distribution of the fodder maize seed, Tarpaulin and sprayers free of cost amongst the tribal farmers by the concerned scientists and officers from the Line Department.