Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Directorate of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare, Jammu under the guidance of Director Agriculture Jammu and Nodal Officer for Makhana Cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir Anil Gupta, today organised a two-day seminar on Makhana cultivation at Baba Jitto Kissan Kendra, Talab Tillo, Jammu.
The seminar aimed to promote Makhana as a high-value crop and create awareness among officers, experts and farmers on its scientific cultivation, production technologies, value addition and income-generation potential.
The keynote technical session was delivered by Principal Scientist and Head, ICAR–Research Centre for Makhana (RCM), Darbhanga, Bihar, Dr Indu Shekhar Singh, the main resource person. He gave an extensive presentation on the scientific cultivation of Makhana, covering its agro-climatic and soil requirements, water and nutrient management, crop establishment, harvesting and post-harvest handling.
Dr Singh informed participants that about 85 per cent of India's Makhana cultivation is presently concentrated in Bihar, while Jammu Division possesses favourable agro-climatic conditions for expanding cultivation in suitable pockets. He stated that India's Makhana industry is currently valued at around ₹3,000 crore and the global market at nearly USD 138 million, indicating significant opportunities for production, value addition and exports. He also addressed farmers' and officers' queries on cultivation techniques, economics and marketing during an interactive session.
The seminar, being held on July 28–29, 2026, comprises technical sessions on sustainable cultivation practices, quality seed production, scientific crop management, value addition, processing and marketing strategies.
Among those present at the inaugural session were Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs) Sanjay Anand, Joint Director Agriculture (SLUB/Farms) Aman Jyoti Sharma, Joint Director Agriculture (Extension) Idrees Bashir Ahmed, Chief Agriculture Officer Jammu Manohar Lal Sharma, Agriculture Economist Tilak Raj Sharma, Deputy Directors, Sectoral Heads, Subject Matter Specialists at regional, district and sub-divisional levels, Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs), Junior Agricultural Extension Officers (JAEOs), Agricultural Extension Assistants (AEAs), agripreneurs, progressive farmers and scientists and faculty members from SKUAST-Jammu. SMS-DL Rajeev Katoch conducted the proceedings.