Srinagar, Nov 11 (KNS): Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) has stepped up efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, with a semi-industrial-level bio-input production centre established at its Wadura campus.
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‎Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K said the university was focusing on research, academic programmes and field-level initiatives to encourage organic and natural farming practices and ensure safer food production.
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‎He said the university had introduced a Master's programme in Sustainable Organic Agriculture to train students in alternative farming practices and reduce dependence on chemical-based agricultural inputs.
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‎The Vice-Chancellor said the bio-input production centre at Wadura was aimed at promoting the use of organic fertilisers and biological inputs among farmers. He added that demand for vermicompost had increased in Kashmir, with several farmers taking up its production.
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‎Expressing concern over the growing use of pesticides and their possible impact on public health, he said the university was working on developing methods for pesticide-free apple production.
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‎"During the current year, experiments conducted at two locations yielded apple produce that was almost pesticide-free," he said.
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‎He said a cooperative high-density orchard had also been established over nearly 100 kanals in Pulwama under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), where technology and disease-resistant varieties had helped reduce pesticide consumption by around 70 per cent compared to conventional orchards.
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‎The university was also researching scab-resistant apple varieties to minimise disease incidence and reduce the need for chemical pesticides, he said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
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‎The Vice-Chancellor said SKUAST-K had established a Centre of Excellence in Natural Farming, with research activities underway at different university stations to promote chemical-free agricultural practices.
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‎Highlighting the university's One Health initiative, he said SKUAST-K was among the few universities in the country to introduce the programme, which focuses on the linkages between human, animal and environmental health.
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‎"Human health cannot be ensured through medicines alone. Safe food, reduced pesticide residues, a healthy environment and proper animal health are equally important," he said.
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‎On pesticide monitoring, the Vice-Chancellor said the university had submitted a proposal titled Monitoring Pesticide Residues at Farm Gate Level, which was currently under consideration by the government.
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‎Under the proposed mechanism, farmers and orchardists would be encouraged to test their produce at the farm gate to ascertain pesticide residue levels before taking it to the market.
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‎He said the university had a laboratory established at a cost of nearly Rs 200 crore, equipped to test produce for residues of 55 different pesticides.
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‎The university had also urged the government to make pesticide-residue testing certificates mandatory for fruits and vegetables imported into Jammu and Kashmir, including grapes, to ensure that produce entering local markets meets food safety standards.
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‎He expressed hope that the proposed measures would be taken forward in coordination with the government to strengthen food safety and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the region. (KNS)