Farmers get tips on commercial cultivation of Garlic and Spice crops
A two-day District-Level Seminar on “Commercial Farming of Garlic and Spice Crops in Kullu” was successfully organized at the Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station (RHRTS), Bajaura, District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
The programme was conducted by the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Solan, under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) project, currently being implemented by the department.
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 100 progressive farmers from different parts of Kullu district, reflecting the increasing interest in the commercial cultivation of garlic and spice crops in the region. The programme aimed to promote scientific cultivation practices, quality seed production, and improved farm management strategies to enhance productivity and profitability.
Dr. Surender Thakur, Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kullu, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He highlighted the immense potential of garlic and spice crops under the agro-climatic conditions of the Kullu valley and encouraged farmers to adopt improved varieties and scientific production technologies to maximize returns. He emphasized the importance of quality seed, integrated nutrient management, and market-oriented production systems.
Dr. N.K. Bharat, Head, Department of Seed Science and Technology, UHF Solan, outlined the objectives of the seminar and stressed the pivotal role of quality seed production in enhancing crop productivity. He underscored the need to strengthen the seed supply chain for spice crops to meet the growing demand.
Dr. BS Thakur, Associate Director, RHRTS Bajaura, emphasized the importance of strong research–extension–farmer linkages in accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies at the grassroots level. Dr. Ashok Thakur, Senior Scientist (Seed Technology), elaborated on the scope of certified seed production in garlic and other spice crops and highlighted the potential for cultivating select exotic spices in the region.
Technical sessions covered key aspects such as production technology of garlic and major spice crops, plant protection measures, seed production techniques, and soil and water management practices. Experts from KVK Kullu, RHRTS Bajaura, and HAREC Bajaura delivered comprehensive lectures and provided practical guidance on improved varieties, pest and disease management, nutrient scheduling, irrigation practices, and post-harvest handling.
A special farmer–scientist interaction session facilitated open discussions, during which participants raised queries related to disease management, seed availability, storage, marketing, and government support schemes. The experts responded with detailed, site-specific, and practical solutions.
To recognize innovation and excellence in spice crop cultivation, three progressive farmers were felicitated for their outstanding contributions in the field. On the concluding day, participants visited the experimental farms of KVK Kullu and research facilities at Bajaura, where they observed ongoing trials, improved varieties, and demonstrations of scientific crop management practices.
