SRINAGAR: The Department of Agriculture Kashmir in collaboration with ICAR-IGFRI regional research station Srinagar today organized one day awareness cum training programme on Fodder Production and Utilization, under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) at Aru, Pahalgam, and Anantnag.
The awareness programme was inaugurated by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhury Mohammad Iqbal.
127 local farmers including several women participated in the programme.
During the camp scientists from ICAR-IGFRI Regional Station Srinagar and technocrats from Agriculture department interacted with the farmers regarding various aspects of fodder production, utilization and conservation.
Addressing the programme, the Director said that from the last few years the Department of Agriculture is diversifying the fodder production activities viz-a-viz introduction of new kinds/ varieties of fodder crops in the region. He also highlighted the importance of using the latest fodder production technologies for sustainable livestock productivity.
Chief Agriculture Officer Anantnag, Ejaj Ahmad Dar, Agrostologist Kashmir Rafiq Ahmad, Information Officer Imran Ahmad Sheikh and Marketing officer Shamus Hussaini interacted with Farmers and distributed different tools, seeds and Mineral Mixture.
Dr Suheel Ahmad, Officer in-charge, ICAR-IGFRI Regional Station Srinagar along with Dr. Sheeraz Saleem and Mohammad Arif Paddar, Assistant Soil Conservation Officer, highlighted the importance of mineral mixtures, deworming for improved livestock health and productivity and importance of using improved cultivars of temperate grasses/legumes for pasture improvement and rehabilitation.
Research Assistant FSPS Aru, Khursheed Ahmad Gilkar interacted with the farmers regarding various schemes of the department viz-a-viz fodder development.
The collaboration between IGFRI and Agriculture department shall go a long way in ensuring fodder revolution in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
The farmers lauded the efforts of the Department of Agriculture Kashmir and IGFRI for organizing such a programme.
Director Agriculture Kashmir with Dr. Suheela Ahmad, In charge ICAR-IGFRI Regional Research Station Srinagar introduced 4 new forage cultivars namely Hima 1, Hima 14, EC178182, Hima 4 and Sainfoin at Fodder station with this FSPS Aru has now 54 Varieties of Forage crops.
The program was attended by ASP Ganderbal, Feroz Yehya, CPO, Irfan Giri, ACP, ACD, CEO WMDA, CMO, CEO and other officers and officials of line departments.