SKUAST-K promotes scientific farming in Kupwara’s Hachmarg; seeds, toolkits distributed among tomato growers

Kupwara, May 07: Hachmarg village in the Ramhal area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district is emerging as a major tomato-producing hub, with a majority of households engaged in tomato cultivation and vegetable farming.

Officials said the transformation of the village has been driven by sustained efforts and technical support provided by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Kashmir (SKUAST-K) and the Agriculture Department through promotion of scientific and modern farming practices.

As part of its farmer outreach programme, the Division of Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kupwara, organised an input and seed distribution programme in the village under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) project titled “Transforming Tribal Agriculture in Kashmir: A Comprehensive Vegetable Development Initiative.”

During the programme, vegetable seeds and agricultural toolkits were distributed among around 150 farmers to encourage scientific vegetable cultivation and strengthen the livelihood of tribal farming families in the remote Ramhal belt.

Scientists and agricultural experts present on the occasion urged farmers to adopt improved vegetable production technologies to enhance productivity, ensure better returns and promote sustainable farming practices.

The programme was attended by Prof. Ishfaq Abidi, Head Division of Vegetable Science, Mohammad Iqbal Choudhary, CEO Seeds SKUAST-K, Prof. G.M. Bhat, Head KVK Kupwara, Dr. Asima Amin, Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator of the TSP project, and Dr. Mohammad Mudasir Magray, Assistant Professor, besides other faculty and staff members of SKUAST-K and KVK Kupwara.

Addressing the gathering, the experts highlighted the importance of scientific farming techniques, modern cultivation tools and advanced vegetable farming practices in improving crop yield and farmer income.

They also spoke about various developmental initiatives being implemented in Kupwara district under TSP, JKCIP and other farmer welfare programmes under the guidance of SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganie.

Farmers appreciated the continued support and field visits by scientists and officials and expressed hope for more developmental projects for the tomato-growing village in future. (via. Journalist (Dr.) Ab Qayoom)