SRINAGAR: An awareness cum training programme on ‘Red Rice’ under HADP Project, (promotion of niche crops in the UT of J&K), was held today at agriculture complex Lalmandi Srinagar. The programme was organised by an advanced research station for saffron and temperate seed spices, SKUAST-K.
Speaking on the occasion, Joint Director Agriculture highlighted the importance of different niche crops including Red Rice. He enumerated the different initiatives by the department in this direction.
He said that our niche crops would play an important role in the economic growth and sustainability of the agriculture sector in the region. He said under the holistic agriculture development program (HADP) government has approved a multi-crore prestigious project to promote the niche crops in the region.
The Jt. Director said the different interventions under HADP project, (Promotion of niche crops) like establishment of nurseries/ seed villages, would generate job opportunities for unemployed youth working in niche sectors.
Earlier head of the research station, Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmed Allie presented a detailed scenario of different initiatives by the advanced research station, SKUAST- Kashmir for the promotion of niche crops like Red Rice. Officers of the Research station for saffron and temperate seed spices SKUAST-K, officers of agriculture department and a number of red rice farmers participated in the training program.
