Srinagar, June 14: The Agriculture Department, Kashmir celebrated (thaejkaad) Paddy Transplanting Planting Day across the valley on Wednesday.
Chowdhary Muhammad Iqbal, Director Agriculture Kashmir, kick-started the campaign from central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and participated in paddy transplantation activities in the district’s paddy fields.
The Director Agriculture stated, while interacting with farmers from various areas of the valley, that paddy is a staple crop of the valley and that paddy transplantation has cultural significance in the valley.
He stated that the people of Kashmir observe Paddy Transplanting Day in the same way that they observe other religious and cultural festivals. Iqbal highlighted the department’s various initiatives for the development of the valley’s farming community.
He stated that the department is working to ensure that high-yielding varieties of agriculture crops, including paddy, reach the farming community, as well as to preserve and promote the cultivation of traditional varieties in the region, such as MushkBudji, zagg, meetha-chawal, and so on.
Director Agriculture appreciated the role of the farming community in preserving the traditional varieties of paddy and other agriculture crops are commendable.
He said that besides the latest high-yielding varieties the local paddy varieties (muskbudji, zagg, meetha-chawaletc) are finding new markets.
The director stated that the department is working to help the affected farmers get good returns on their produce. Iqbal emphasised the importance of transferring cutting-edge technologies and interventions to farmers on the field.
He urged the officers to ensure that modern agricultural techniques and practises, such as paddy cultivation, reach the farmers.
Iqbal emphasised the importance of getting feedback from the farming community on the implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes so that the necessary steps to address farmer issues can be taken on time.
The director was accompanied by Joint Director (Inputs) Mohammad YounisChowdhury and other senior officers of the department. Meanwhile, the Paddy Transplanting Day was celebrated in all the districts of Kashmir Division which were monitored by concerned Chief Agriculture Officers.
