Kupwara: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir organised a Tribal Agriculture Development Programme in the Machil area of Kupwara district under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) project titled “Transforming Tribal Agriculture, a Comprehensive Vegetable Development Initiative.”
The programme was organised in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kupwara with the objective of strengthening vegetable-based livelihood opportunities among tribal farming communities.
A team of scientists from the Division of Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, led by Ishfaq Abidi, participated in the programme along with Prof. Faheema Mushtaq, Dr. Asima Amin, Dr. Ummyiah Masoodi and Dr. Berjes Zehra.
Scientists from KVK Kupwara, including G. M. Bhat, also attended the programme.
As part of the initiative, more than 100 tribal beneficiary families were provided vegetable cultivation input kits containing quality seed material and other essential inputs for scientific vegetable production.
The programme aimed to promote adoption of improved vegetable cultivation technologies, enhance household nutritional security and improve farm income in remote tribal areas of Machil.
A training and awareness session was also conducted for participating farmers on scientific vegetable cultivation practices, crop production technologies, nutrient management, pest control and the role of vegetable farming in sustainable livelihood generation.
Experts highlighted innovative approaches related to quality seed production, protected cultivation structures, solar energy utilisation and the organic village concept for sustainable agricultural development in the Machil area.
The programme witnessed active participation from local farmers, who appreciated the efforts of SKUAST-K, the Division of Vegetable Science and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for supporting agricultural development initiatives in high-altitude tribal regions.
The initiative was organised under the guidance of SKUAST-K Vice Chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganai and Director Extension and Research Raihana Habib Kanth.
