KvkShopian

An awareness programme under the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) was organized by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with KVK Shopian at KVK Shopian, Balpora. The programme witnessed the active participation of more than 150 farmers from different parts of District Shopian.

During the programme, scientists from KVK Shopian and officers from the Department of Agriculture delivered expert lectures on improved crop production technologies, scientific orchard management, integrated nutrient and pest management, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and various government schemes for the farming community. The interactive sessions enabled farmers to seek practical solutions to field-level challenges and gain insights into the adoption of modern agricultural technologies.

The programme concluded with a strong commitment to strengthening farmer outreach through collaborative extension initiatives aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.

The 14th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting of KVK Shopian and the 20th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting of KVK Kulgam were successfully organized at KVK Shopian. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Kashmir.

The programme was graced by Adv. Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Hon'ble MLA, Shopian, as the Chief Guest, while Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension, SKUAST-Kashmir, attended as the Guest of Honour.

The meeting was attended by Prof. Najeeb-ur-Rehman Sofi, Associate Director Research, MRCFC Khudwani; Dr. Zaffar Afroz Badri, Head, KVK Shopian; Dr. Abdul Shakoor Khanday, Head, KVK Kulgam; Programme Coordinators of KVKs of Kashmir Division; officers from the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Sheep Husbandry; scientists from KVK Shopian, KVK Kulgam and AARC Pahnoo; along with progressive and champion farmers from the districts of Shopian and Kulgam.

During the meeting, Dr. Zaffar Afroz Badri, Head, KVK Shopian, and Dr. Abdul Shakoor Khanday, Head, KVK Kulgam, delivered presentations regarding the Annual Progress Reports (2025–26) and Annual Action Plans (2026–27) of their respective KVKs, highlighting major achievements, technological interventions, farmer capacity-building initiatives, and future strategies for sustainable agricultural development.

A major highlight of the programme was the inauguration of a High-Density Apple Orchard established on 6 kanals of land and a High-Density Cherry Orchard established on 8 kanals of land at KVK Shopian by Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai. The newly established orchards are expected to serve as demonstration and training units for the dissemination of advanced temperate fruit production technologies among the farming community.

The meeting also featured deliberations on strengthening research-extension-farmer linkages, climate-resilient agriculture, Integrated Farming Systems (IFS), agri-entrepreneurship, and market-oriented farming. Representatives of line departments and progressive farmers appreciated the initiatives undertaken by both KVKs and shared valuable suggestions for further enhancing the impact of extension programmes.

The programme concluded with an interactive discussion and recommendations from scientists, departmental officers, and farmers, reaffirming SKUAST-Kashmir's commitment to promoting innovative, climate-resilient, and profitable agriculture through its Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Shopian hosted an exposure visit of members of CSS-FPO, The Larnoo Agro Producers Cooperative Limited, District Anantnag, with the objective of enhancing their understanding of scientific and market-oriented agricultural practices. During the visit, participants were acquainted with KVK's technology dissemination initiatives, advanced horticultural production systems, and farmer-centric extension programmes. The interactive sessions with KVK scientists fostered knowledge exchange, encouraged the adoption of climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural technologies, and highlighted the pivotal role of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in strengthening collective entrepreneurship and improving farmers' livelihoods.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Shopian, in collaboration with the Regional Cum Facilitation Centre (RCFC), Northern Region-II, successfully organized a one-day training programme on "Opportunities in Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in Kashmir Valley." The programme witnessed the enthusiastic participation of around 50 participants.
The programme aimed to create awareness about the immense potential of medicinal plant cultivation as a profitable and sustainable enterprise in the Kashmir Valley. Expert sessions covered suitable medicinal plant species for the region, improved cultivation practices, quality planting material, post-harvest handling, value addition, marketing opportunities, and the role of medicinal plants in income diversification and conservation of biodiversity.

The interactive sessions enabled participants to engage with experts, clarify their queries, and gain practical insights into the scientific cultivation and commercialization of medicinal plants. The programme concluded with a strong emphasis on promoting medicinal plant cultivation as a viable avenue for enhancing livelihoods and strengthening the region's agri-entrepreneurship ecosystem.

An inspection-cum-review visit was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Shopian by a team from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), accompanied by officials from SKUAST-Kashmir, Directorate of Agriculture, Chief Agriculture Officer and Chief Horticulture Officer Shopian.

The visiting team was received by the Head, KVK Shopian, Dr. Zafar Afroz Badri, who provided a comprehensive briefing on the various demonstration and research blocks established at the Kendra. During the interaction, Dr. Badri highlighted the objectives, ongoing activities, and the significance of these demonstration units in promoting modern and sustainable agricultural and horticultural practices among the farming community.

During the inspection, the IFAD officials closely examined the performance and management of the demonstration units and interacted with the technical staff regarding the activities being carried out. The visiting team appreciated the efforts undertaken by KVK Shopian in establishing and maintaining these demonstration blocks for technology dissemination and capacity building.

The IFAD team also provided valuable technical inputs and recommendations for further strengthening the demonstration units.

The visit concluded with a fruitful discussion among the officials, reaffirming the commitment of all stakeholders towards promoting sustainable agricultural and horticultural development through collaborative efforts and effective technology transfer.

Continuing the Khet Bachao Abhiyan at a local school—empowering young minds to protect our fields, conserve nature, and build a sustainable future.
#खेत_बचाओो_अभियान #संतुलितउर्बरकउपयोग
Indian Council of Agricultural Research Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India PMO India Atari ICar Shivraj Singh Chouhan Bhagirath Choudhary SKUAST Kashmir Directorate of Extension, Skuast-K

Knowledge in every field, empowerment in every home. Another impactful day of creating awareness among rural women for sustainable and scientific agriculture.
#खेत_बचाओो_अभियान #संतुलितउर्बरकउपयोग
Indian Council of Agricultural Research Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India PMO India Shivraj Singh Chouhan Bhagirath Choudhary Atari ICar Directorate of Extension, Skuast-K SKUAST Kashmir

Every field has a story, and every visit adds a new chapter. Khet Bachao Abhiyan continues with on-field support and farmer-centric solutions across Shopian's farmlands.

#संतुलितउर्बरकउपयोग #खेत_बचाओो_अभियान
Indian Council of Agricultural Research Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India Shivraj Singh Chouhan Atari Bhagirath Choudhary SKUAST Kashmir Directorate of Extension, Skuast-K