Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian, Nov 19: The farmers in the picturesque, Dachnoo Hirpora locality in South Kashmir’s Shopian district are elated with a bumper harvest of Kufri Sona and Kufri Goruv potato varieties, known for their high yield and disease resistance.
Growers from Dachnoo area of Hirpora said that the farmers have switched to the variety after the less yield of the traditional Red Hirpora Potatoes.
Jahangir Ahmad, a local farmer said that these advanced varieties have proven to be a game-changer for the region’s Agricultural sector, boosting the productivity as well as the profitability for them.
He said Kufri Sona and Kufri Goruv, developed to withstand common potato diseases and yield better results even in challenging climatic conditions, have demonstrated excellent performance in Dachnoo Hirpora’s fertile soils.
Other farmers while echoing the similar views said that for years, they struggled with traditional potato varieties that were prone to diseases and required heavy pesticide use. “But the new varieties have given us a bumper crop with much less effort. Our incomes have improved, and we are hopeful for a brighter future,” they said.
They further added that the government must work and continue to introduce better varieties so that locals can earn their livelihood very well as they have been dependent on production of potatoes for their livelihood.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Experts attributed the success to the promotion of modern farming techniques and quality seeds provided by the local agriculture department.
An official of the Agriculture department said that they had taken Dachnoo cluster under PKVY where they started organic cultivation of Kufri Sona and Kufri Goruv potatoes.
He said last year, the department had distributed around 66.81 quintals of these varieties among the farmers that were sown on 2.66 hectares, adding that they have already procured 196 quintals of these varieties from the farmers this year so far that they are sending to the department.
He said the Agriculture department officials have been providing technical support to the growers 24×7 and helping them to earn their livelihood.
“The introduction of Kufri Sona and Kufri Goruv aligns with our goal to enhance farmers’ livelihoods by increasing productivity. These varieties require fewer inputs, making farming more sustainable,” he said.
