Peerzada Sayeed
KUPWARA, MARCH 31: Landlocked Karnah Sub division of Kupwara district is presenting a scintillating look these days due to its blossoming fields as rabi crops are in the final stage of ripening and will be harvested soon.
Farmers of Karnah valley, where most of area falls in Sub-tropical agricultural Zone, are reaping good dividends as they have turned to double cropping.
Farmers are leaving no stone unturned to take the benefits of conducive and favourable temperature and timely interventions of Agriculture schemes.Farmers in consultation with agriculture experts have switched to double cropping to take maximum benefits from their fields.
Today’s farmer community is well informed and educated, they have realised that they have to become Self-sufficient in agriculture sector to counter the skyrocketing prices of edible oils and vegetables.
Most of the farmers of Chamkote, Chiterkote, Teetwal, Dringla, Drugad, Gundi-Gujjaran, Gundi Sayedan, Chanipora, Dildar and Kandi have now switched to cultivation of Mustard oil seeds. Apart from this they grow Oats, Wheat, Peas, onion, Garlic, Cabbage, Carrot, Radish, Knol-khol and other varities of organic vegetables to meet the local demands as prices of edible oils and vegetables are continuously skyrocketing.
Adopting double cropping on modern lines farmers of Karnah have become an inspiration for other areas of Kupwara as farmers are fully utilising both Rabi and Kharif agricultural seasons and getting full dividends from their fields.In most areas of Karnah valley, during Rabi season (which starts from October and lasts upto May) , farmers cultivate Oats, Mustard, Wheat, Peas, Onion,Garlic and other varities of vegetables. In Kharif season they grow Rice, Maize and pulses.
Farmers are taking keen interest in Mustard and organic vegetable cultivation from past two years in the Rabi season as agriculture area under Mustard and vegetable cultivation is increasing day by day.
“This year, Karnah is witnessing increased mustard and vegetable cultivation because of the reasons of price of edible oils and vegetables have soared” farmers said while hailing the efforts of Deputy Commisioner, Kupwara Dr. Doifode Sagar Dattatray, who has streamlined agriculture department in the district. Agriculture department in Karnah is working very hard to revive mustard and vegetable cultivation.
National Mission On Oil seed is also helping farmers to revive the Mustard cultivation in Rabi season in Karnah sub division. Agriculture department is giving several incentives to the farmers who switch to double cropping.
Chamkote and Chitterkote villages of Karnah are leading in vegetable production and producing fresh organic vegetables to other villages of Karnah during the Rabi season which is major positive sign in agriculture sector.
Besides citrus fruits like Lemon and oranges are being grown in villages like Teetwal, Seemari and Dragged.
Zahoor Ahmad Lone, Agriculture Extension Officer, Tangdhar said that, Agriculture department is working on a mission mode to motivate farmers so that farmers to adopt double cropping on modern scientific lines.
“With the help of National Mission on oil-Seed we are making efforts to revive and prioritise Mustard oil seed cultivation.We provide high yielding seeds of Mustard to farmers on subsidised rates through our agricultural zonal stores” A.E.O said adding that “We continuously impart awareness and training to farmers go for double cropping on modern scientific lines, besides we undertake regular field visits, so that in comming years not an inch of farm land remains fallow in Karnah during Rabi season”
