Indian Agricultural Research Bulletin

Empowering Agriculture and Youth: 6th Convocation of SKUAST-K Marks a New Era for Jammu & Kashmir Srinagar | July 5, 2025   The Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) echoed with pride, purpose, and promise as it hosted its 6th Convocation Ceremony in Srinagar today. The prestigious event was graced by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha , who delivered a powerful address, reaffirming the government’s commitment to agricultural transformation in Jammu and Kashmir. The convocation ceremony saw Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan , as the Chief Guest , with  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also present among other dignitaries. In his address, the Union Minister extended heartfelt congratulations to the graduating students, lauding their achievements and calling it a significant milestone. Reflecting on his visit, he remarked, “The natural beauty of Kashmir and th...

Kashmiri Cherries: The Sweet Red Gold with Untapped Potential Every year between May and July, something beautiful happens in the high-altitude orchards of Kashmir. Amid cool breezes and snow-fed streams, the Valley’s cherry trees come alive—offering up bright, juicy fruit known locally as Gilaas . These cherries aren’t just a summer snack—they’re a symbol of Kashmir’s agricultural heritage and an economic lifeline for many families. But while the cherries are world-class, the systems that support their journey from tree to table are far from it. Let’s explore why this crop matters, and what we need to do to unlock its full potential. 🍒 A Tiny Fruit with a Huge Impact Kashmir produces about 95% of India’s cherries , with roughly 12,000 metric tonnes harvested each year. Major cherry-growing zones include: Ganderbal (Lar, Gutlibagh, Kangan) Srinagar outskirts (Nishat, Harwan, Dhaara) Shopian, Baramulla, Tangmarg The cherry season begins just after strawberries ...

F arming may be one of the oldest human professions, but it's currently experiencing one of its most futuristic upgrades—thanks to agricultural robotics. Once confined to research labs and sci-fi scenarios, robots are now rolling through fields, flying over crops, and doing the dirty work with precision, speed, and intelligence. In this post, we’ll dive into how agricultural robotics is reshaping the way we grow food and why it’s becoming a game-changer in the tech world. Why Agriculture Needs Innovation—Now More Than Ever Global population growth is placing enormous pressure on agriculture to produce more food, more efficiently, and with less environmental damage. At the same time, labor shortages are making it harder to maintain large-scale farms. Enter robotics: an answer to both the productivity and sustainability challenges facing modern farming. 1. Precision Is the New Norm Agricultural robots are equipped with GPS, sensors, and AI algorithms that enable them to p...

PM-KISAN 20th  Instalment  2025: When Will Rs 2,000 Be Released? Key Updates for Farmers Tariq Ahmad Bhat Agricultural Extension Officer, Agricultural Production Department Email: tariqbhatkash@gmail.com As the kharif sowing season approaches, over 11 crore farmers across India are eagerly waiting for the 20th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. The upcoming Rs 2,000 payout, expected in June 2025 , is a crucial source of financial support for small and marginal farmers preparing for cultivation. What is PM-KISAN? Launched in 2019 , PM-KISAN is a Central Sector Scheme that offers Rs 6,000 annually to eligible farmer families, disbursed in three equal installments of Rs 2,000 each via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) . The primary aim is to ease the financial burden of agricultural households by providing timely support for expenses related to seeds, fertilizers, and labor. When Will the 20th Installment Be Released? The 19th...

How Agricultural Education is Shaping the  Nation’s Future Dr.Sajad H.Parey Dr.Waseem Ahmad Agriculture is not just a profession in India—it’s a way of life. More than 50% of the country’s workforce depends on it, and in 2020–21, it contributed nearly 20% to India’s Gross Value Added (GVA), according to Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 2021. But this isn’t only about fields and food. It’s a story of education, innovation, and the urgent need to prepare a new generation of skilled professionals who can feed the future. The Ancient Roots of Agricultural Wisdom India’s relationship with agriculture goes back centuries. In fact, it was part of the curriculum at ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshila. A 2021 policy paper from the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) highlights how early Indian education systems placed high value on farming knowledge. This isn’t surprising. Agriculture wasn’t seen as just manual labor—it was respected as both science and ...

                  J ammu & Kashmir is well known for its apple exports as about 57% of the national produce of apples is contributed by the state. It is the 6th largest producer of walnuts  (Juglans regia ) in the world and an important producer and exporter of a wide variety of dry fruits. Jammu & Kashmir has been declared as “Agri Exports Zone for Apples and Walnuts”. Apples are a major produce of Jammu & Kashmir. During the last five years production in the state has increased from 1151.7 thousand metric tonnes in FY2006 to 1852 thousand metric tonnes in FY2011 (National Horticulture board, NHB) The apples exported in 2008-09 were priced at Rs 11,721 per ton, it was Rs 11,942 in 2009-10 and Rs 12,692 in 2010- 11; the apples imported carried a price tag of Rs 45,284 per ton in 2008-09, it was Rs 43,946 in 2009-10 and Rs 46,269 in 2010-11. As per Partap, 2011 unpublished data (Ex-V.C. SKUAST) Jammu & Kashm...