JAMMU, Nov 13: The two-day seminar on Makhana cultivation concluded at Kisan Kendra, Talab Tillo, Jammu, with Director Agriculture, Jammu, and Nodal Officer for Makhana Cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir, Anil Gupta, emphasising the need for scientific promotion of the high-value crop in the Union Territory.
Addressing the valedictory session as Chief Guest, Anil Gupta described the seminar as an important initiative towards introducing Makhana cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir. He appreciated the experts and resource persons for sharing technical knowledge about scientific cultivation practices, production technologies, processing and value addition. He expressed confidence that cultivation would soon be initiated in suitable areas of Jammu Division.
He informed that the Government of India had approved a Central Sector Scheme for the Development of Makhana, reflecting the growing national focus on this high-value crop. He observed that Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Jammu Division, had considerable potential for its cultivation and urged farmers to adopt it as a profitable crop diversification option.
The Director called upon participating officers to utilise the knowledge gained during the seminar to develop successful Makhana production clusters and generate sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers.
Emphasising practical training, Gupta said that seminars alone would not be sufficient to promote Makhana cultivation. The Agriculture Department would soon organise exposure visits for farmers and departmental officers to established Makhana-growing regions to provide first-hand knowledge of scientific cultivation, processing and modern production techniques. He also assured all possible departmental assistance for promoting innovation, agri-based start-ups and entrepreneurship related to Makhana cultivation.
Earlier, Suresh Kumar Khajuria, Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Jammu, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of scientific knowledge dissemination and capacity building for the successful introduction of Makhana cultivation in the region.
The valedictory session was attended by Aman Jyoti Sharma, Joint Director Agriculture (SLUB/Farms), Jammu; Tilak Raj Sharma, Agriculture Economist; Ashwani Kumar, Regional Level Subject Matter Specialist; Karuna Nidhi, Deputy Director Trainings (FTC); Prof. Dr. Vijay Bharti, Chief Scientist, SKUAST-Jammu; Vivek Mahajan, Programme Officer (JDA Extension), Jammu, besides other senior officers and departmental officials.