Input distribution, awareness training programme held by DARS SKUAST-K in Kulgam

Kulgam, Oct 24: A mega Input Distribution-cum-Awareness Training Programme on “Efficient Production Technology for quality Seed Production” was organised under Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP Project No. 1); Development of Seed and Seed Multiplication Chain in PPP mode by Dry Land Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K).

The program witnessed enthusiastic participation of farmers of different villages of district Kulgam, who were provided with fodder oats seed of SKUAST-K released variety SFO-1, said an official statement.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor, DARS, Prof. Mehfuza Habib, highlighted the importance of on-farm seed multiplication for ensuring sustainable fodder availability. She underlined that cultivation of improved varieties has the potential to enhance productivity by 30–40 per cent, thereby contributing significantly to fodder self-sufficiency in the region.

Moreover, she advised the farmers to follow the SKUAST K Package and Practices in Seed Production of Oats to ensure the seed availability at community level through clusters. On the occasion farmers were encouraged to adopt the latest scientific cultivation practices to ensure year-round availability of quality fodder'.

Zakir Khurshid Raina (AEO Kilam) in his address, stressed the need for adopting SKUAST-K varieties and strictly following the package of practices to achieve better yields and improve fodder security at the farm level. Further, he thrusted on quality Seed Production in the PPP mode to overcome the shortage of location specific varieties by adopting Seed Village Programmes of different crops. After technical Sessions, fodder oats seed of SFO-1 variety were distributed among the farmers by the dignitaries.