Afghanistani horticulturists learn advance cultivation techniques in Kashmir

SRINAGAR - A 15-member group of horticultural and agricultural scientists from Afghanistan has arrived here to attend a workshop on ‘Advanced Cultivation Techniques of Temperate Horticulture Crops’.

The fortnight-long workshop that commenced here on Tuesday (May 18) is being held at the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), located at Rangreth in Srinagar.

These agronomists intend to gain from the expertise of their Indian counterparts since the climatic conditions in their country and the Kashmir region are similar.

Being organized by CITH under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the workshop is part of an international training programme.

Under this international training programme, latest techniques about growing different varieties of fruits such as almond, nuts, apples and apricots as well as assorted vegetables for enhanced production are being taught.

The Indian agronomists have enlightened the visiting Afghanistani scientists about latest developments in drip irrigation and other modes for developing of roots stocks.

“We have come here to learn some new technology and in agriculture areas. So as we see, India uses lot of technology like drip irrigations, storage, vaccines. So, we have come here to learn more things so that we can transfer it to Afghanistan and support our farmers, experts and people,” said Farahat Khan, one of the agricultural scientists from Afghanistan.

According to Dr. Nazir Ahmed, Director of CITH, the programme will prove very useful for the participants and it is hoped that they will make best use of the experience gained in this programme.

“We have conducted an International Training programme especially for those officers who have come from Afghanistan. It covered the aspects of horticulture and agriculture. These officers have come here to learn the advanced mode of cultivation techniques developed by the CITH so that they could also help in increase of the production or productivity of Afghan because the climate of Kashmir and Afghanistan is almost similar,” said Dr. Nazir Ahmed, Director, Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture (CITH), Srinagar.

Horticulture happens to be among the major revenue earners for Jammu and Kashmir.

CITH is committed to extend assistance to farmers on latest technologies in horticulture and cultivation of vegetables. (ANI)