SKUAST-K Empowers Tribal Farmers in Bandipora Through Vegetable Development Initiative
Bandipora, June 3 (PTK): In a significant initiative aimed at enhancing livelihood opportunities and nutritional security among tribal communities, the Division of Vegetable Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), organized an Input Distribution-cum-Awareness Programme for tribal farmers at Nagwani-Dardpora, Arin in Bandipora district.
The programme was conducted under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) Project titled “Transforming Tribal Agriculture in Kashmir: A Comprehensive Vegetable Development Initiative”, sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Organized under the guidance of Prof. Ishfaq Abidee, Head of the Division of Vegetable Science, and Dr. Asima Amin, Assistant Professor and Principal Investigator of the project, the programme focused on promoting scientific vegetable cultivation and improving the socio-economic condition of tribal farming households.
Addressing the participants, experts highlighted the vast potential of vegetable cultivation in enhancing farm productivity, improving household nutrition and generating additional income for farming families. Farmers were educated about improved vegetable production technologies, scientific crop management practices, efficient use of natural resources and sustainable cultivation techniques suited to local agro-climatic conditions.
As part of the programme, vegetable toolkits were distributed among 60 tribal families to encourage the adoption of improved cultivation practices and facilitate year-round vegetable production at the household level.
Officials stated that the initiative is expected to significantly improve access to quality planting material and strengthen food and nutritional security among beneficiary families.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from tribal farmers, who actively interacted with scientists and sought technical guidance on various aspects of vegetable farming. The interactive sessions provided a platform for addressing field-level challenges and sharing practical, research-based solutions with the farming community.
Speaking on the occasion, the organizers reiterated SKUAST-K’s commitment to extending the benefits of agricultural research, innovation and modern farming technologies to remote and underserved communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
They emphasized that technological support, capacity building and timely access to quality agricultural inputs are essential for transforming tribal agriculture into a more productive, resilient and sustainable sector.
The programme concluded with a renewed commitment by SKUAST-K to continue providing scientific support, training and extension services to tribal farmers, thereby contributing to the inclusive and sustainable development of agriculture in the region.
(PTK)
