MSME-New Delhi Sponsored Weeklong Training Programme on ‘Azolla Farming Technology: Future Viable Livelihood Options for Farming Communities of Kashmir’ Concludes

Jahangir Lolabi

Wadura (Sopore): A week long MSME-New Delhi sponsored training programme on Azolla farming technology: future viable livelihood options for farming communities of Kashmir organised by Division of basic science and humanities, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, Sher-e-Kashmir university of Agriculture science and Technology – Kashmir concluded on Tuesday at Faculty of Agriculture.

The two skill courses witnessed participation of 25 young entrepreneurs from various parts of Kashmir. At the inaugural function Dr. Malik Asif Aziz (training coordinator) Welcomed the guests and the participants. Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Raihana H. Kant briefed the audience about the importance of the training programme.

Dr. Prajjal Dey, Assistant Professor presented vote of thanks to the gathering. The Program was coordinated by Dr. Prajjal Dey, Sapalika Dogra, Mushtaq Ahmad Malik and student coordinators including Raquib Rasool and Mathi guru J.P under the supervision of Training coordinators.

Expert talks were delivered by Field specialists namely Dr. G. Abraham (Principal scientist, Indian Agricultural Research institute, New Delhi), Dr. Shobit Thapa (Scientist, National bureau of Agriculturally important microbes, MAU, Uttar Pradesh),Dr. Susmita Das (assistant professor, Sri Sri university, Odisha), Dr. Tapas Ranjan Sahoo(Scientist, OUAT Bhubaneswar, Odisha), Dr. Melvin Joe.M (Assistant professor, SRM institute of science and technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu) besides many inhouse speakers of the Faculty.

The aim of this training programme was to bring awareness among trainees about Azolla production technology and its entrepreneurial prospects for employment generation. This innovative cheap and efficient technology has been proven successful throughout the country, Techniques suitable for adopting this technology for first time in Kashmir valley has been taught to the participants along with the necessary Azolla culture maintenance techniques during Heavy winters, Set up of Azolla farm, Operational cost, Applications in Agriculture, poultry, dairy farms and many more necessary techniques necessary for the successful entrepreneurship in Azolla production technology  has been successfully imparted to trainees.

All the logistic support was provided to the trainees as per MSME-Guidelines.

The organizers expressed overwhelming satisfaction on the response of the trainees and few interested trainees were identified on the spot for adopting the technology for entrepreneurship.

In the end training coordinator along with the organising team thanked HVC, SKUAST-K, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Gania, MSME-Coordinator, Prof. Haroon Naik and Dean, FOA-Wadura, Prof. Raihana H.Kant for their constant support  and encouragement in organising such events in the Faculty of Agriculture-Wadura-Sopore.