KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, May 21: In a significant step towards transforming the vegetable cultivation landscape and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in the remote tribal belt of Machil in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the Division of Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture, at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir distributed 85 quintals of quality potato seed, vegetable seed kits, and several essential agricultural inputs among farmers during a Mega Farmers’ Awareness-cum-Training Programme organized in the high-altitude frontier region.
Held at nearly 8,000 feet above mean sea level, the programme marked a major scientific intervention aimed at strengthening decentralized seed production systems for potato, peas, beans, root crops, and other commercial vegetables while simultaneously enhancing nutritional security and employment generation through scientific vegetable cultivation in the Machil sector.
The initiative was organized by the Division of Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kupwara under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) component of AICRP on Potato, AICRP on Vegetable Crops, and the ICAR-funded project titled “Transforming Tribal Agriculture in Kashmir: A Comprehensive Vegetable Development Initiative.”
The programme is being implemented under the dynamic guidance of Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-K, with the proactive support of Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension-cum-Dean, and the leadership and guidance of Prof. Ishfaq Abidi, Head, Division of Vegetable Science, Faculty of Horticulture.
The initiative forms part of a broader vision of the Division of Vegetable Science to strengthen quality seed production of commercial vegetable crops through participatory seed production involving local farming communities. Officials said the programme seeks to build a sustainable and self-reliant seed production ecosystem in far-flung tribal regions of Kashmir.
The Machil intervention follows a similar successful endeavour initiated in the Gurez valley last year, where scientific vegetable cultivation and seed production programmes generated encouraging results among tribal farmers.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Ishfaq Abidi highlighted the immense potential of Machil for decentralized and disease-free seed production owing to its geographical isolation, naturally low pest and disease incidence, and favourable temperate summer climate. He stated that these unique agro-climatic conditions make the region highly suitable for producing quality potato and vegetable seed capable of meeting local as well as regional demand.
Prof. Abidi stressed that farmers, krishi sakhis, and unemployed youth must adopt modern scientific technologies, improved seed varieties, and organic cultivation practices to fully harness the yield potential of the area. He said the initiative could become a game changer for the local economy by promoting scientific agriculture, increasing farm productivity, and opening new livelihood avenues through vegetable seed entrepreneurship and protected cultivation.
During the programme, beneficiary farmers were provided with quality vegetable seed kits, 85 quintals of potato seed, seed storage bins, vermicompost bags, safety kits, and farm machinery components aimed at improving scientific cultivation practices and post-harvest seed management at the grassroots level.
The technical sessions conducted during the programme focused extensively on scientific seed production protocols, nursery management, integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management (IPM), and low-cost protected cultivation technologies for off-season vegetable production.
Prof. Syed Faheema Mushtaq, Principal Investigator of AICRP on Potato, along with her team, impressed upon farmers the importance of adopting scientific seed production techniques, maintaining seed purity standards, and ensuring proper crop management practices to establish Machil as a sustainable and reliable quality seed production cluster.
Scientists also encouraged farmers to adopt organic and low-input farming practices to position Machil as a potential organic vegetable and seed production hub in the Kashmir region.
The programme witnessed active participation and technical deliberations by several scientists and experts from SKUAST-K, including Dr. Asima Amin, Principal Investigator of the ICAR-funded project; Dr. Syed Berjes Zehra, Co-Principal Investigator of AICRP on Vegetable Crops; and Dr. Ummyiah H. Masoodi, Assistant Professor, Division of Vegetable Science, along with other scientists and technical staff of the university.
Prof. Mohiuddin, Head of KVK Kupwara, appreciated the dedicated efforts of the scientific team led by Prof. Ishfaq Abidi for selecting district Kupwara, particularly the remote Machil sector, for this ambitious agricultural initiative. He observed that such interventions are crucial for integrating tribal farming communities into mainstream agricultural development and strengthening the rural economy of border areas.
All scientists addressed the gathering and conducted multiple technical and interactive sessions with farmers, focusing on scientific vegetable production technologies, seed management, crop protection, and sustainable farming practices suited to high-altitude conditions.
During their visit, the scientific team also conducted field assessments across the Machil region to identify suitable sites for developing seed production clusters. Officials said groundwork has already been initiated for preparing a comprehensive long-term strategy aimed at sustainable potato and vegetable seed production in the area.
The initiative is expected to significantly enhance farmers’ income, strengthen local seed systems, improve household nutritional security, and generate employment opportunities through seed production, value addition, and protected cultivation technologies in the Machil sector.
Farmers and local participants appreciated the efforts of the Division of Vegetable Science, SKUAST-K Shalimar, and KVK Kupwara for bringing scientific expertise and developmental support to one of Kashmir’s most remote and strategically important frontier regions.
Agricultural experts associated with the programme believe that with sustained institutional support, scientific guidance, and active community participation, Machil has the potential to emerge as a model high-altitude vegetable and seed production hub in Jammu and Kashmir, paving the way for long-term agricultural transformation and rural prosperity in the region.
