SKUAST-K Educates on Optimizing Pollination in Cucurbits for Enhanced Crop Yield and Quality
Srinagar ; The Division of Vegetable Sciences at SKUAST-K, Shalimar on Friday organized One Day Entrepreneurship Awareness Programs (EAP) focused on “Pollination management in Cucurbits-For Yield and Quality Improvement.”
The programs was sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), Government of India.
As per Kashmir Despatch Correspondent, The primary objective of the program was to raise awareness among various groups such as rural youth, vegetable growers, entrepreneurs, progressive farmers, and farm women about the significance of optimizing pollination processes in cucurbit crops.
The aim was to educate participants about effective pollination management techniques to achieve higher crop yields and improved fruit quality.
This initiative is vital as cucurbit plants heavily rely on bees and other pollinators for successful pollen transfer and fruit development. Implementing proper pollination management practices can profoundly impact the overall production of cucurbit crops.
Dr. Asima Amin, the Training Coordinator, successfully conducted the program at three different locations: Dadsara Tral, Nowdal, Tral, and Repora B, Ganderbal on October 6th, 9th, and 17th, 2023, respectively.
These programs saw active participation from approximately 150 individuals.
The programs featured informative lectures delivered by experts from the Division of Vegetable Sciences.
Participants gained in-depth knowledge about the role of pollinators in cucurbit crops and learned about the various factors that influence pollination.
This knowledge and training are vital for farmers and entrepreneurs to make informed decisions regarding crop management, pest control, and the use of pesticides, while considering the impact on pollinators. Such informed decision-making can lead to more sustainable and environmentally-friendly agricultural practices.
By implementing proper pollination management techniques, the reliance on manual or chemical interventions to address fruit development issues can be reduced.
This not only saves on labor and input costs but also extends the harvest period, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of cucurbit produce to the market.
The Training Coordinator expressed gratitude to all the participants for their active engagement and contribution to the success of these programs. She also extended appreciation to Dr. Haroon Naik, the Nodal Officer of MSME, and Dr. Baseerat Afroza, Head of the Division of Vegetable Science, for providing her with the opportunity to successfully conduct these EAP programs in different locations within the Union Territory of Kashmir.
