Jammu: The Agriculture Department will organise exposure visits for farmers and departmental officers to established makhana-growing regions to familiarise them with scientific cultivation practices, processing technologies and modern production techniques as part of efforts to introduce the high-value crop in Jammu and Kashmir.
Director Agriculture Anil Gupta announced the initiative at the conclusion of a two-day seminar on makhana cultivation held at Kisan Kendra, Talab Tillo, Jammu.
Addressing the participants at the valedictory session, Gupta said the seminar had provided an opportunity to acquaint departmental officers and other stakeholders with the technical aspects of makhana cultivation, including scientific production practices, processing and value addition. He expressed confidence that the knowledge and experience gained during the programme would help initiate cultivation of the crop in suitable areas of the Jammu Division.
He said the Government of India had approved a Central Sector Scheme for the Development of Makhana, reflecting the growing focus on promoting the crop as a high-value agricultural option.
Observing that Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Jammu Division, had considerable potential for makhana cultivation, Gupta said farmers could explore it as an alternative crop diversification option to improve their income and create additional livelihood opportunities.
He urged participating officers to use the technical knowledge acquired during the seminar to identify suitable areas, develop makhana production clusters and facilitate the adoption of scientific cultivation practices among farmers.
Emphasising that seminars and technical discussions alone would not be sufficient to introduce a new crop successfully, Gupta said the proposed exposure visits would help farmers and departmental officers gain practical experience from regions where makhana is already being cultivated on a commercial scale.
The participants would be familiarised with various stages of cultivation, production technologies and processing methods, which could subsequently be adapted to local conditions in the Jammu Division.
Gupta also said the Agriculture Department would extend assistance to promote innovation, agri-based start-ups and entrepreneurship associated with makhana cultivation in the Union Territory.
Earlier, Joint Director Agriculture (Extension) Suresh Kumar Khajuria welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of scientific knowledge dissemination and capacity-building initiatives for the successful introduction and expansion of makhana cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir.
