DARS, SKUAST-K conducts awareness drive, input distribution under HADP in Bandipora

Bandipora, July 2: The Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), SKUAST-Kashmir, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, conducted a one-day “Awareness Programme cum Input Distribution” at Muqdam Yaari village in Bandipora district under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Project No. 15 titled “Rainfed Area Development.”

The programme aimed to empower farmers in rainfed regions through scientific knowledge and input support. Around fifty farmers participated and received quality moong bean seed — a critical intervention amid the ongoing heatwave conditions affecting crop performance.

Dr Fayaz Ahmed Bahar, Training Coordinator and Professor of Agronomy, inaugurated the event and spoke about SKUAST-K’s commitment to supporting rainfed farming communities. He emphasised the role of pulses in climate resilience and contingency crop planning. The session was followed by technical guidance on best practices for pulse cultivation.

Dr Mehfuza Habib, Professor of Genetics and Plant Breeding, highlighted the significance of improved crop varieties over traditional landraces and assured continued technical assistance for enhancing crop diversification and farmer incomes.

Crop cards were also distributed as a handy reference for farmers to improve yields. The event concluded with an interactive session led by Dr. Shabir Ahmad Ganie, Agriculture Officer from Subdivision Sumbal, with farmers requesting more such programs in the future.