A Kisan Mela cum Wheat Field Day was organised by Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops Khudwani of Sher – e – Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SKUAST - K) today at Khudwani, in order to provide awareness to the farmers regarding the cultivation of various kinds of Wheat varieties, being researched about and developed at this centre. The experts shared their experience and expertise regarding the latest techniques of different crop farming with the farmers.On the occasion, Member of Parliament, Nazir Ahmad Laway was the Chief Guest while as Member Assembly Homeshalibugh, Advocate Ab Majeed Larmi was the guest of honour.Among others present on the occasion include the ADDC Kulgam Khawaja Nazir Ahmad, Director Extension SKUAST – K, Professor Mushtaq Ahmad, Director Research SKUAST – K, M Y Zargar, Associate Director Research Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops Khudwani, Professor G A Parrey, besides other researchers and a good number of progressive farmers Professor G A Parrey welcomed the guests and detailed about the progress of the research centre, while as Dr Najeeb – ul - Rehman presented the vote of thanks.
Speaking on the occasion, Member Parliament Nazir Ahmad Laway said that need of the hour is to create new and quality varieties of all the crops including in the horticulture sector so that our farmers get a better yield and our economy gets a boost. He added that nature has bestowed Kashmir with the best climate for the cultivation of all kinds of crops but the need of the hour is to provide awareness and proper training to the farmers for cultivating such crops.The MP further said that government is very keen in developing both the Agriculture and Horticulture sectors of the state and assured all possible help to the concerned research centre for creating mass awareness regarding wheat and other crop cultivation on modern lines.Member Assembly Homeshalibugh, Advocate Ab Majeed Larmi, on the occasion stressed upon the need to create coordination between the scientists of the SKUAST – A and the farmers for better results and field implementation of the research for the benefit of the farmers. He added that regular awareness camps should be organised at village level so that benefit of the research goes directly to the farmers. He further said that construction on agricultural land should be totally stopped so that we can have land available for agricultural activities in future too.ADDC Kulgam, Director Extension SKUAST - A and Director Research SKUAST – A also spoke on the occasion and shared their views and experience regarding the cultivation of new and disease resistant varieties of wheat and other crops.