Director Agriculture, H. K. Razdan today inspected Seed Multiplication Farm Chakrohi spread over an area of 836 acres.During the inspection, he reviewed transplanting and land preparation operations along with farm mechanization, drainage/irrigation channels in view of the ensuing Kharif Crop Season. Quality production of foundation and Certified Seed of Basmati varieties and that of other crops in the Basmati Rice rotation are being undertaken at the farm.Farm Manager, SM Farm Chakrohi Sanjay Verma apprised the Director that with the steps taken to improvise the farm mechanization and water use efficiency the seed productivity and production at the Farm has increased significantly.It was apprised that during current Kharif-2018 season an area of 421 acres is being covered at Chakrohi which includes 83 acres under Foundation Seed of Basmati-370, Paddy Pusa-1121 & Mash Shekhar varieties. The Breeder Seed of Paddy Variety Basmati-370, SJR-129, SJR-5, Paddy Pusa-1121, Paddy Pusa 1612 and Paddy PR-113 are being raised on 278 acres for seed production under local conditions . Besides, Certified Seed of Sesame RT-351 on 10 acres and Red Cherry SSG is being raised on 50 acres to meet the requirement of farmers.
Director Agriculture also discussed modalities for 200 acres of land transfer from SKUAST-J to the Department of Agriculture with Director Research Dr. J. P. Sharma and other officers of SKUAST Jammu.During interaction , Razdan said that all efforts should be made to increase seed production to fulfil the demand of seed produced in the local conditions with required quality parameters.The Farm Staff also apprised the Director regarding various issues of the farm including trespassing and staff shortage.The director assured that the issues will be resolved at the earliest.Later, the Director Agriculture also inspected land preparation operations for fodder crop at Potato Development Farm, Kotli Mian Fateh. He instructed the farm staff to practice alternate cropping besides seed production of potato in order to generate more revenue.It was apprised that an amount of Rs. 50700/- has been realized as revenue through growing maize fodder crop as alternate crop for first time after harvesting potato crop in the area.Potato Development Officer, S. Arvinder Singh Reen, Farm Manger, PDF Kotli Mian Fateh, Kuldeep Sharma, Agriculture Assistant, SM Farm Chakrohi Mohan Singh and other farm staff were present during inspection of the farms.