Kupwara, May 21:A comprehensive awareness-cum-training programme on vegetable cultivation, potato production, vermicomposting, and natural farming was organized by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kupwara in collaboration with the Division of Olericulture, Faculty of Horticulture at the far-flung border area of Machil in district Kupwara.

The programme witnessed overwhelming participation of around 300 farmers, including a large number of youth and women farmers from the area. The main objective of the programme was to create awareness among the farming community regarding scientific vegetable cultivation, natural farming, vermicompost preparation, and livelihood generation through agriculture and allied sectors.

During the programme, a large quantity of agricultural inputs was distributed among the farmers to encourage vegetable cultivation and improve farm productivity in the region. Around 70 quintals of high-quality potato seed were distributed among selected farmers. Besides this, plastic buckets, vermicompost units, and seeds of 16 different vegetable varieties were also provided for the promotion of kitchen gardening and nutritional security.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. GM. Bhat highlighted the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices. He elaborated on the preparation and benefits of vermicompost and stressed the adoption of natural farming techniques for maintaining soil fertility, reducing input costs, and producing healthy food. He said that integrated vegetable cultivation and natural farming can significantly improve the socio-economic condition of rural farmers, especially in remote border areas like Machil.

Dr. Ashfaq Abidi delivered an informative lecture on scientific potato cultivation practices and explained various aspects related to seed treatment, sowing methods, nutrient management, disease control, irrigation, and harvesting techniques for achieving higher productivity under local climatic conditions.

Dr. Faheema spoke in detail about scientific vegetable cultivation and management practices. She guided farmers regarding seasonal vegetable cultivation, nursery management, pest and disease control, balanced fertilizer application, and protected cultivation for enhancing vegetable production and farm income.

Among others, Dr. Ummia Masoodi emphasized the need for scientific cultivation of agricultural crops for livelihood generation and highlighted the importance of adopting modern farming technologies for improving the rural economy and employment opportunities.

Scientists from the Division of Vegetable Science and KVK Kupwara also interacted with the farmers and provided practical guidance regarding improved farming technologies, vegetable production, entrepreneurship opportunities, and rural employment generation. The experts encouraged unemployed youth to adopt agriculture and vegetable farming as a profession and become self-reliant through modern scientific farming practices.

Dr. G. M. Bhat thanked the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir and Director Extension Education for their continuous support and cooperation. He stated that the programme was organized in the remote border area as per the directions of the Vice-Chancellor with the objective of extending scientific agricultural technologies to the farming community at their doorstep.

The participating farmers appreciated the efforts of SKUAST-K and KVK Kupwara for organizing such a beneficial programme in the remote border area and expressed gratitude for providing quality seed material, vermicompost units, and technical guidance.

The programme concluded with an interactive session where farmers raised various field-related issues and received expert advice from the scientists.