Orientation/ Training programme on ‘Promotion of Niche Crops’ held at Kulgam

KULGAM, February 21: In continuation to orientation cum training programmes under holistic agriculture development, a one day programme on Promotion of Niche Crops was held by the Agriculture Department in collaboration with KVK at GDC Kulgam.

Chief Agriculture Officer Kulgam, Sartaj Ahmad Shah during the inaugural session highlighted the significant commercial value and economic potential of niche crops in Jammu and Kashmir.

He laid thrust on the field functionaries to aware the farming community about the economic potential of these crops to enhance their livelihood security. He directed them work tirelessly for diversification and area expansion of niche crops particularly Saffron, Mushkibudji and Kashmiri Lal Mirch in district Kulgam.

Shabeer Ahmad Mir, Resource Person delivered a detailed presentation on different aspects for promotion of niche/heritage crops (Saffron, Lal Mirch, Mushk Budji, Kala Zeera etc) of Jammu & Kashmir with special reference to district Kulgam.

He highlighted major challenges in extensive cultivation of the Niche crops like lack of sufficient quantity of quality seed and planting material, poor post harvest management practices and poor market linkage.

He said, the project aims to address the challenges through establishment of 100 registered nurseries of Kashmiri Lal Mirch and 2 seed villages of Mushk Budji followed by diversification and area expansion 20 ha under saffron, 250 Ha each under Kashmiri Lal Mirch and Mushk Budji in potential areas of district Kulgam.

Additionally, the project will take up creation of Mini Spice Park, Modern Rice Mills and grading and processing units in target clusters, which will be linked with available NABL laboratories and e-trading centers of UT. This will facilitate quality promotion and value addition, leading to profitable accessibility to the market.

Further, he added that these niche crops are cash crops in demand and have a significant commercial value and potential to be awarded a GI tag, similar to the tag achieved for Kashmiri Saffron which will act as a branding tool to increase the market value both at national and international level.

SMS KVK Kulgam, Dr. Shakoor Ahmad, District Agriculture Officer, Mohd Amin Shiekh, besides Agriculture Extension Officers, Junior Agriculture Extension Officers and Agriculture Extension Assistants of Department of Agriculture participated in the training programme.