Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Jan 25:
In a significant outreach for floricultural farmers of Jammu and Samba, CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu under CSIR Floriculture Mission conducted two awareness, training and seed distribution programmes imparting the farmers scientific knowledge of advanced crop production and management practices. In two separate programmes conducted at CSIR IIIM Jammu and KVK Samba 255 farmers from various agricultural zones of Jammu and Samba were trained in scientific crop cultivation, nursery production, management of diseases and pests, marketing and economic potential in marigold and other floricultural crops through technical presentations and on-farm practical demonstrations. The participating farmers were also provided with high yielding quality seed of marigold. The events were conducted under the patronage of Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR IIIM Jammu. While speaking to our correspondent Dr Ahmed informed that the Institute through various initiatives under the CSIR Floriculture Mission targets to tap the huge business and market opportunity in the floriculture sector of the J&K UT and the adjoining States through sustained production of quality flowers and enhancing the acreage under the cultivation of different crops suitable to varying agroclimatic conditions. The seed distribution ceremony was presided by Er Abdul Rahim Chief Scientist, CSIR IIIM who while interacting with the farmers emphasized on clusterbased farming to streamline the value chain for optimal marketing of the flowers produced. He further encouraged young entrepreneurs to develop innovative business ideas, assuring them that such initiatives would be nurtured and supported through their incubation at CSIR-IIIM Jammu. While interacting with the trainees and participating stakeholders, Dr Shahid Rasool, Nodal Scientist, CSIR Floriculture Mission stressed upon the importance of diversifying marketing strategies through value addition in floricultural crops. He urged the participating farmers to involve women in floricultural farming by forming Self-Help Groups who can be trained in value added techniques such as resin art, floral hammer press printing, perfume-making, floral jewelry, dehydrated floral art and making of various flower arrangements. Dr Rasool highlighted that the mission aims to focus on the diversification of floricultural crops to ensure a consistent supply and meet market demand throughout the year. He expressed his appreciation for the officers of Department of Agriculture, Jammu for their coordination in successful conduct of the events.
While addressing the farmers, TajinderSingh Wazir, prominent floriculturist and president J&K Flower Growers Association emphasized on the importance of adopting scientific protocols in floriculture farming to achieve optimal yields. He also highlighted the critical need to understand market demand and linkages to ensure profitability in floriculture.
Shri Wazir commended the CSIR Floriculture Mission for its impactful initiatives aimed at enhancing farmers’ prosperity through sustainable floriculture farming. The programmes featured technical presentations and practical demonstrations on advanced techniques in commercial floricultureby various subject matter experts from floriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, agricultural entomology and agriculture extension.
Emphasis during the course of training was placed on training the farmers for quality nursery production protocols, good soil and crop health,pest and disease management, marketing and packaging strategies.
