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| Asks Scientists to introduce new farming techniques | | | SRINAGAR: Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir today asked the scientists of SKUAST to work for production of high yield maize seed to achieve higher seed replacement rate at the farming level.
The Minister was speaking at a “Mega Maize Conference for Tribal Farmers” organized by Directorate of Extension Education in collaboration with Dry land Agriculture Research Station and Division of Agri Engineering, SKUAST, Kashmir here this morning.
The Minister said high yield would lead to achieve food security, meet feed and industrial application of maize and maize based products, besides generation of resources and employment in farming sector.
He said that a large number of small land holders still form a major potential source of maize production. “Its cultivation assumes even more significance in hilly areas where it is a cheap source of livelihood and staple food for large number of tribal population and the only alternative to other cereals like rice” , he added.
The Minister said that Union government has launched a scheme under Tribal Sub Plan with a view to create livelihood opportunities for tribal on a sustainable basis, besides ensuring financial and physical security.
He said implementation of the scheme is in progress as trainings and incentives are being provided to the tribal farmers of the valley.
The Minister stressed on to ensure that Research and Development initiatives focus on development of hybrid seed, not only with high yield potential, but also for production of quality protein maize.
“Kashmir being a tourist destination, emphasis needs to be put on production of specialty corn like sweet corn, baby corn, and popcorn as they will fetch remunerative income to the growers” , he asserted.
Mr. Mir said that the transformation of agricultural research, hybrid and composites in maize improvement have been realised and matching crop management technologies developed for which the scientific community associated with research in maize should be complimented. He said that the scientific deliberations that take place from time to time in this regard will further increase maize production and productivity and strategize various programmes for popularizing this crop for commercial purpose.
The Minister hoped that the recommendations of this conference would contribute towards the agricultural development of the state and profitability and prosperity of the farming community. This would surely address the needs of tribal maize farmers who are here to highlight their problems, he added.
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