SKUAST-K Releases 16 Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties to Boost Jammu Kashmir Agriculture | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir has released 16 new climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutrient-rich crop varieties, marking a significant step towards strengthening food security and climate adaptation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The varieties were formally approved during the 10th meeting of the State Seed Sub Committee held at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar. The releases include six maize varieties, two Ambri apple selections, four pulse varieties, and one variety each of rice, wheat, oats and oilseed.

Among the key releases is Shalimar Rice-10, an early-maturing and blast-resistant version of the traditional Mushkbudji rice, developed through marker-assisted selection. The university also introduced Shalimar Wheat-4, an extra-early maturing wheat variety aimed at improving productivity in short growing seasons.

In the horticulture segment, two high-density Ambri apple varieties—Shalimar Ambri-01 and Shalimar Ambri-02—were released, noted for improved aroma, shelf life and suitability for modern orchard systems.

The maize portfolio saw the largest expansion with six new releases, including nutritionally enhanced Pusa Shalimar QPMH-1, the region’s first carotenoid-rich Shalimar Maize Composite-10, water-logging tolerant Shalimar Maize Hybrid-7, a high-altitude specific hybrid, a baby corn hybrid and a high-yielding general hybrid.

To strengthen pulse and oilseed production, SKUAST-K released Shalimar Rajmash-6, Shalimar Rajmash-7, drought-tolerant Shalimar Urdbean-1, Shalimar Cowpea-4, bold-seeded Shalimar Sarson-4, and high green fodder yielding Shalimar Oats-8.

Speaking at the meeting, Head of the Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Dr Parvaze A Sofi, said advanced tools such as genomics and high-throughput phenotyping were used to develop the varieties. He informed the committee that adequate seed and planting material are available for dissemination after formal notification.

While appreciating the scientific progress, Shailendra Kumar urged the university to focus on large-scale seed production and suggested establishing a Union Territory-level seed company to improve seed replacement rates and ensure wider farmer access.

With these releases, SKUAST-K has now developed a total of 140 crop varieties across food, vegetable, fruit and spice categories. Vice Chancellor Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai and Director Research Prof Haroon R Naik commended the breeders, stating that the new varieties are expected to significantly enhance the resilience and productivity of agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir.