Stating that the Government is keen on reviving all the traditional crops of the State, Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura Saturday said that efforts are underway to restore Zag and Kamad varieties of rice in Kashmir Valley.The Minister said this at a function here to inaugurate sale of the traditional Mushk Budji variety of rice. The sale is being jointly organized by the Department of Agriculture, Kashmir and Agro Industries Development Corporation (AIDC). Legislator Abdul Rahim Rather, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Showkat Ahmad, Director Command Area Kashmir Itrat Hussain, Director (Research) SKUAST, Mohammad Yousuf Zargar, and other senior officers of the Department and the SKUAST were present on the occasion.On the occasion, about 13 quintals of the aromatic rice in 1, 2, 5 and 10 kg bags were made available for sale at a discounted price of Rs 160 per kg, while as the aromatic rice will be available at Rs 180 in the market.
The event was the culmination of efforts over the course of about a decade, during which the scientists isolated and produced pure lines of the Mushk Budji crop. During the period the Department of Agriculture Kashmir, endeavoured to cover an area of 125 hectares (or 2500 kanals) at Sagam (Kokernag) in Anantnag by providing seeds and required fertilizers free of cost to 420 farmers.It was informed that 6029 quintals of the Mushk Budji rice was produced at Sagam this year, adding the Department procured some 1350 quintals, at Rs 8000 per quintal to farmers, for marketing by the AIDC.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister appreciated the efforts of the Department of Agriculture Kashmir and SKUAST for reviving the Mushk Budji crop and controlling the blast disease that the crop gets quite easily.The Minister said there is lack of awareness about this variety among the consumers and that it was important that the Government got involved in its marketing.
He said he was thankful to the Chief Minister for releasing Rs one crore for procurement and marketing of the aromatic rice, besides declaring Sagam as a Model Village for Mushk Budji.He said the Mushk Budji will be made available at tourist reception centres, airports, hotels and the like to promote it and attract tourists to buy it. He also said a processing unit will be made available at Sagam soon.Hanjura further stated that the State and Central Governments are keen on improving the status of farmers, with schemes like the Fasal Bhima Yojana introduced to cover losses to farmers from disasters and other calamities.Some 200 farmers participated in the event, wherein 10 progressive farmers of the Sagam village were given complementary certificates for preserving and producing the Mushk Budji variety. The farmers involved in its production have already been paid a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.On the occasion, legislator Abdul Rahim Rather called for the village to be notified as Mushk Budji village and stressed on greater efforts in retaining the original quality of the traditional variety.