Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Rangreth of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Zone Khanda, Sub Division Chadoora, organized a one-day entrepreneurship programme on hybrid seed production in maize.
The event, held at Khanda, aimed to empower local youth and school dropouts with technical skills in maize seed production and entrepreneurial opportunities. Around 50 participants from Khanda attended the programme.
Dr. Sabina Nasseer, Training Coordinator and Associate Professor (GPB) at DARS Rangreth, provided an insightful overview of the programme, stressing the crucial role of maize in fulfilling nutritional needs.
She highlighted the contributions of SKUAST-K in developing new hybrid varieties of maize, which are vital for increasing maize production in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
Dr. Nasseer also delivered technical guidance on hybrid maize development, encouraging the participants to explore entrepreneurship in agriculture as a path to self-employment.
Dr. Zahida Rashid, Senior Scientist (Agronomy), discussed the importance of agronomic practices in maize seed production, offering key insights into improving yield and quality. The programme also featured Dr. Shabeena Majid as a resource person, providing additional expertise on maize production techniques.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Hilal, Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO) of Zone Khanda, who expressed his gratitude to the team of scientists from DARS Rangreth for organizing such impactful programmes.
He emphasized that initiatives like this are critical for enhancing the knowledge and technical skills of rural youth, especially school dropouts, thereby opening doors to self-employment opportunities.
This entrepreneurship programme marks a significant step towards engaging youth in agriculture and equipping them with the necessary skills to contribute to the development of hybrid seed production, thereby fostering economic growth and self-reliance in the region.
