SRINAGAR, 04 JUNE (KNS): The Department of Agriculture of Kashmir celebrated (thaejkaad) the day of paddy transplanting in the valley today, with Kashmir Director of Agriculture Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal kicking off the campaign from the district central Ganderbal in Kashmir.
The director participated in the activities of transplanting paddy into the farmer’s field at various places in the district.
While interacting with farmers from different parts of the valley, he said that paddy is a staple crop of the valley and transplanting paddy has its cultural significance in Kashmir. He said that the people of Kashmir celebrate paddy transplant day as they celebrate other religious and cultural holidays.
The director said that this valley-wide program is taking place under the overall supervision of the AP&FWD Finance Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Atal Dulloo.
Chowdhary Iqbal marked various initiatives taken by the department for the development of the farming community in the valley. He said the department was working not only to ensure that the latest high yielding and quality agricultural crop varieties, including paddy, reach the farming community, but also to preserve and promote the cultivation of traditional varieties (muskbudji, zagg , meetha-chawal, etc.) also in the Region.
He appreciated the farming community in the valley and said their role in preserving traditional varieties of paddy and other agricultural crops is commendable.
The manager said that in addition to the latest high-yielding varieties, our local paddy varieties like (muskbudji, zagg, meetha-chawal, etc.) are finding new markets. He said the department is working to help affected farmers so they can get good returns for their produce.
Iqbal stressed the importance of feedback from the farming community regarding the implementation of different centrally sponsored programs so that necessary measures to address farmers’ problems can be taken in time.
He said that organizing such types of valley-wide events allows the Department to bridge the distance between the Department and the farming community. He said today’s event is the fourth valley-wide campaign after the start of Kharief’s season.
Prior to paddy transplanting day, the department organized beekeeping mapping day, farm day, oilseed harvesting day and similar programs for other agricultural crops in the coming days before the point. climax of the season of Kharief.
The director of agriculture was accompanied by the deputy director of planning, Mohammad Younis Chowdhury and other senior officers of the department.
Similar events took place all over the Kashmir valley. Mohammad Syed Pir, co-director of agriculture extension, led the discussions in the Naidkhai Sumbal areas of Bandipora district, while as co-director of agricultural inputs, Farooq Ahmad Bhat oversaw the Paddy transplanting day activities in Anantnag district.
Co-Director of Agricultural Engineering Mohammad Ilyas Khateeb visited Pulwama and Shopian districts in South Kashmir, Co-Director of Agriculture Marketing Mohammad Qasim Ghani monitored the proceedings in Kupwara and Baramulla in North Kashmir while as co-director of Beekeeping and Mushrooms Tabasum Naaz participated in the events in Srinagar district.
Meanwhile, paddy transplanting day has been celebrated in all districts of Kashmir division monitored by the concerned Chief Agriculture Officers. (KNS)
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