SRINAGAR: To save labour as well as time while performing the agricultural activities in the field for farmers, Department of Agriculture Kashmir has introduced Mechanized Paddy Transplanting (MPT) at Seed Multiplication Farm (SMF), Padgampora.
The event was kick started by Joint Director Agriculture Extension Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal, with an aim to educate the farmers regarding this hi-tech agricultural practice.
While interacting with the farmers Joint Director said that traditional way of rice planting is labour intensive and involves drudgery while mechanized rice planting is cost effective and operation friendly.
He said it helps in maintaining soil physical properties and is considered to be better from crop management and productivity point of view.
Chowdhary said that the department is always on the forefront in educating fellow farmers regarding latest technological interventions and innovations by means of which the production and productivity is enhanced and the socio economic condition of the farmer is improved.
He said the introduction of mechanized paddy transplantor will enhance the production and productivity of paddy in the region as the paddy nursery prepared for transplantor is prepared under special care and the sowing of paddy seedling is maintained line to line, row to row with proper distance.
Among others, Farm Manager (SMF) Sartaj Ahmad Shah, field functionaries of the Agriculture department and a large gathering of farmers from adjoining villages attended the mela.