Saffron and Spice Research Station of SKUAST-Kashmir at Konibal, Pampore organised Kalazeera Day in collaboration with Department of Science & Technology, Government of India where large number of farmers from districts of Pulwama, Srinagar and Budgam participated. The purpose for organising the Kalazeera Day was to demonstrate intercropping system which can be adopted by the farmers for doubling their income through intensive crop planning, a spokesperson of the SKUAST-K said.
Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST-Kashmir, Prof Nazeer Ahmed at theoccasion advised the farmers to use the land resources for double cropping byintercropping saffron and kalazeera as both are perennial and high value crops.He further advised the farmers of possibility of traditional adoptingintercropping of almonds with saffron and kalazeera for much higher returns andyear round employment.
VC also advised scientists for promotion of new varietiesand exploitation of local germplasm of kalazeera and develop easy tuber andseed production technologies in participatory approach with farmers forbringing more and more area under intercropping. He also directed head of thestation Dr BA Allai for imparting trainings and demonstrations for popularizingthe technology.
Dr Mushtaq Ahmad, Director Extension and Dr MS Mir, DirectorResearch also spoke on the occasion and laid stress for revival of kalazeera intarget locations and highlighted its role in improving the livelihood securityof farmers.Farmers-scientists interaction was also heldwhere question raised by farmers were replied by the expert scientists andthereupon farmers showed keen interest in adoption of intercropping ofkalazeera with saffron.