A Training cum Seed Distribution Programme for Quality Seed Production in Oats was also organized under the HADP (Seed & Millet Project).
KVK Ganderbal organized a Training cum Seed Distribution Programme on “Efficient Production Technology for Quality Seed Production in Oats” under HADP Project-1 (Development of Seed & Seed Multiplication Chain) on October 24, 2024, at the KVK campus. Millet Day was also celebrated to promote and propagate the cultivation of millets across the district. The programme was presided over by Prof. Haroon Naik, Director Research, SKUAST-K (Chief Guest); Prof. M. Ashraf Bhat (Head, Plant Biotechnology & PI, HADP Project-1); and Prof. Ishfaq Abidi, Chief Scientist & Head (KVK Ganderbal). It was attended by scientists from SKUAST-K, scientists and supporting staff from KVK, officers from the line department of agriculture, farmers, local leaders, and media personnel.
The programme started with a welcome address by Dr. Faiqa Syeed, who provided a brief introduction to the programme. Prof. Ishfaq Abidi, Chief Scientist & Head, gave a comprehensive overview of the significance of fodder oats as a versatile crop and their role in mitigating fodder scarcity. He highlighted that the cultivation of fodder oats is a promising enterprise that can prove lucrative for educated, unemployed youth. Prof. Abidi further emphasized millets as miracle grains and their potential as future food due to their nutritive value, low glycemic index, and tolerance to adverse climatic conditions. He reiterated KVK Ganderbal’s mission to promote and popularize various millets and oats across all blocks of District Ganderbal to uplift the farming community and expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and Director of Extension for their supervision and guidance.
In his presidential address, Prof. Haroon Naik, Director Research, SKUAST-K, presented an overview of current farming practices in J&K and stressed the need to follow scientific guidelines for profitable farming under changing climatic conditions. He highlighted the importance of millets as functional foods and cash crops, which can significantly increase farmers’ income. Prof. Haroon emphasized the role and scope of fodder oats and advised farmers to maintain contact with the KVK team to maximize benefits from various HADP schemes and MSME-sponsored training. Prof. M. Ashraf Bhat, Head (Plant Biotechnology), emphasized millets as superfoods and discussed the importance and scope of fodder oats, primarily due to their health benefits and high fiber content. He underscored the impact of climate change on crops and the importance of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in addressing these challenges. On this occasion, quality oat seeds were distributed among the farmers.
In the technical sessions, Prof. Ishfaq Abidi, Prof. M. Ashraf Bhat, and Dr. F. A. Ahanger delivered comprehensive lectures on the cultivation of fodder oats, the production technology of new millets, and Integrated Disease Management in fodder oats, respectively. Participants were taken on a field visit across the KVK campus to demonstrate the IFS Model, which proved enlightening and encouraging. They were introduced to different varieties of millets being cultivated on the KVK farm. The proceedings concluded with an Interaction cum Feedback Session, where participants raised significant queries that were addressed by scientists and officers from the line department. The attendees expressed deep gratitude for the programme and expressed a desire for more similar initiatives in the future. The session concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. S. N. Qureshi.
