To acquaint farmers with the latest innovations in the field of agriculture, a volunteer group, OISCA International, from Japan today visited Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops, SKUAST in Khudwani village of south Kashmir.The group comprising of President Dr. Yashiko Y. Nakano and Director General, Watanabe Tadashi, besides other members held a demonstrative session with local farmers and scientists and also took stock of the proliferation of crop varieties introduced by them in south Kashmir regionAccompanied by local farmers, the group members also planted SKAU-408 variety of rice in the fields of the research centre for experimental purposes. The group members also showcased newly developed varieties of rice and mushroom suited for the climate of Kashmir.
The session was also attended by Member of Parliament, Nazir Ahmad Laway, Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazeer Ahmad, Director Extension, Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, Director Research, Dr. MY Zargar and Associate Director Research, MRCFC, Khudwani, Dr. GA Parray. On the occasion, Mr Laway urged the farmer community to adopt modern techniques by using high yield hybrid varieties in horticulture and agriculture so as to make the state self-sufficient in its food produce.Vice Chancellor, SKAUST-K, Dr. Nazeer Ahmad apprised the local farmer community about the contribution of OISCA, Japan in introducing high yield rice varieties and techniques like sapling transplanting and pruning of apple trees during their 1966 visit to the Research Centre.He said the collaboration of the University with the Japanese NGO would continue and many more varieties of rice, temperate fruits and vegetables would be systematically exchanged and adopted in the state.In her address Dr. Yashiko Nakano highlighted the need for collaborative approach towards sustainable development of agriculture sector in Kashmir by exchanging both material and technical expertise. She said during her visit to Khudwani area in 1966, different varieties of rice and vegetable were introduced which are still undergoing cultivation in these areas.