SKUAST-K Launches Major Initiative to Revitalise Potato Seed Production in Gurez Valley, Aims for Self-Sufficiency
Bandipora, May 29: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, has embarked on a significant project to revitalise the potato seed production system in the Gurez Valley. This initiative aims to multiply breeder, foundation, and True Potato Seed (TL) seeds, moving beyond the university’s previous focus solely on breeder seeds to meet the growing demand of the valley.
In a landmark event today at Badugam, Tulail, a renowned potato growing area, 150 quintals of breeder seed were distributed among farmers through a participatory approach. This initial phase covers 7.5 hectares (150 Kanals) of land, in addition to over 75 percent of the cultivable area at the Mountain Agriculture Research & Extension Station (MAR&ES) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Gurez.
This ambitious program is projected to produce approximately 3,000 quintals of potato seeds in its first year, which is expected to surge to 30,000 quintals in the second year, a quantity anticipated to meet the seed requirements not only for the Kashmir division but also for the Jammu division, thereby significantly reducing reliance on external seed sources.
A team of experts, including Director Research Prof. Haroon Rashid Naik ; CEO Shalimar Beej Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, Head of the Division of Vegetable Science Prof. Ishfaq Abidi, and Principal Investigator AICRP on Potato Prof. Faheema Mushtaq, along with scientists from various subject matter divisions and the staff of KVK/MAR&ES Gurez, organized a mega programme at Badugam, Tulail to mark the launch.
During the event, the Head of KVK Gurez, Dr Hilal extended gratitude to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai and Director Extension Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth for their unwavering support. He assured the Director Research of full cooperation from all stakeholders to achieve excellence in potato seed production.