Amidst the worst concerns of the farmers in Kashmir in view of prolonged dry spell, agriculture mavens right here have introduced some hope to them.
According to mavens with the SK University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) some innovative methods like ‘system of rice intensification’ (SRI) could be a boon to the paddy farmers amid the present “hopeless” condition.
It may recalled that the irrigation and flood keep watch over department has asked the farmers not to domesticate paddy this yr in view of drying up of the irrigation canals in Kashmir.
“Under SRI, it takes just 2 kg of seeds per acre, while it takes 30 kg seeds per acre in traditional cultivation,” Dr Muhammad Anwar Bhat, senior scientist Agronomy at SKUAST-ok stated.
“With the SRI, a new way of cultivating rice has gained prominence among the farmers in several areas. The new form of cultivation is not just cost-effective, it needs less water and gives more yield as compared to traditional form of rice cultivation,” Dr Bhat said.
He mentioned by adopting SRI, the farmers will be capable to produce 30 quintals of rice in keeping with acre whereas in conventional manner they produce most effective 20 quintals.
He stated underneath SRI, the seedlings are planted 10×10 inches aside from every other in absolute best rows and columns. “The adequate spacing gives the seedling maximum opportunity of absorbing nutrients from its surroundings. There remains very less chance of pest infestation or diseases.”
The SRI may be water efficient. “The water required to irrigate an acre in traditional way can irrigate one and half acres of land under SRI,” he stated.
WATER MANAGEMENT:
Regular water application to stay soil moist but now not saturated, with intermittent dryings, alternating aerobic and anaerobic soil stipulations (More root enlargement as it avoids root degeneration, allows better absorption of nutrients from the soil).
