KULGAM: A mega Input Distribution-cum-Awareness Training Programme on “Efficient Production Technology for quality Seed Production” was organized 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.
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%, 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.
No:-PR/DDI/K/25/2692/
KVK Shopian conducts mega outreach programme, takes modern technology to tribal farmers of Shopian
SHOPIAN, OCTOBER, 24: In a stride towards agricultural empowerment of tribal communities, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Shopian conducted One day mega outreach programme in collaboration with NSP SKUAST-K under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) – AICRP on Seeds (Crops) here at Shopian today.
The initiative marked the formal introduction of SKUAST-K’s most novel oats variety ‘Shalimar Fodder Oats-1 (SFO-1) to the tribal farmers of Shopian District, ensuring that the benefits of latest agri-technology reached across the district.
A record 30 quintals of SFO-1 seed, coupled with the scientific package of practices, were distributed among more than 150 tribal farmers, covering over 30 hectares (600 kanals) of land across the district.
The event drew wide appreciation for bringing cutting-edge research directly to the doorstep of the most remote farming communities.
Addressing the gathering, Director Extension SKUAST-K, Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth appreciated the role of KVK Shopian and advised the farmers to go for horizontal area expansion of this novel variety which is highly productive in terms of seed and fodder.
She emphasized that the green fodder can be used as per the requirement and rest of the fodder can be converted into more palatable ways like Silage preparation, green fodder, green and dry etc. and the seed shall be procured at reasonable costs from the farmers if interested on buy back policy by the University.
Principal Investigator NSP (Seeds), SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof. Gowhar Ali, highlighted that Shalimar Fodder Oats-1 (SFO-1) represents the university’s latest innovation, a bio- fortified, disease-resistant and high-yielding variety significantly enhancing nutritional and economic security.
Speaking on the occasion, Head KVK Shopian, Dr. Zaffar Afroz Badri reiterated SKUAST-K’s commitment to preserving traditional crops while introducing University Released Varieties (URVs) to improve livelihood opportunities under natural and organic farming systems. He added that the impact assessment and monitoring of the technology adoption will continue to ensure long-term benefits for the tribal farming community.
The participating farmers expressed heartfelt gratitude to SKUAST-Kashmir and KVK Shopian for bridging the technology gap and bringing sustainable agricultural solutions to the farmers of District Shopian.
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