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Udhampur Farmers Gain Hands-On Oilseed Training at JKSU

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 9:35 GMT by The Hans India

Udhampur Farmers Receive Hands‑On Training in Oilseed Cultivation at the State Agricultural University

On a bright morning in Udhampur, a group of 28 local farmers flocked to the campus of the Jammu and Kashmir State Agricultural University (JKSU) for an intensive training programme aimed at boosting the region’s emerging oilseed sector. The visit, organised jointly by the Department of Agriculture, the university’s Extension Office and the Udhampur District Agriculture Office, marked a significant step in diversifying the agrarian economy of the Jammu region, traditionally dominated by wheat, barley and fruit cultivation.

Why Oilseeds?

Oilseed crops such as mustard, soybean, and rapeseed have become increasingly attractive to farmers in Jammu and Kashmir because of their higher profit margins, comparatively lower input costs, and growing domestic demand. “In the last five years, the price of mustard seed in the local market has gone up by almost 20 %,” said Mr. Javed Bhat, a senior farmer from the Naugama panchayat. “If we can produce quality oilseeds consistently, we can double our income from one crop season to the next.”

The Udhampur district, with its temperate climate and moderate rainfall, is particularly suitable for mustard and rapeseed, while soybean thrives in slightly warmer conditions. However, many farmers still lack the technical knowledge necessary to achieve high yields, manage pests, and process the produce efficiently. The training programme aims to fill that knowledge gap.

Programme Highlights

The two‑day training session, held on 10 and 11 September 2024, was split into theoretical lectures, field demonstrations and hands‑on practice. Key modules included:

1. Seed Selection & Quality Control – Prof. Anil Kumar, Head of the Department of Crop Science, explained how seed purity, moisture content, and germination rate directly impact crop performance. He demonstrated the use of a moisture meter and a seed sorting machine, tools that are now increasingly available at a subsidised cost through the Ministry of Agriculture’s “AgriTech” initiative.

2. Planting Techniques – The participants practiced seed drilling at different depths and spacings for mustard and soybean. The lecture emphasised that a 15 cm depth and a 30‑cm row spacing for mustard leads to optimal plant density and yield.

3. Fertilisation & Nutrient Management – A field plot was used to show the benefits of split nitrogen fertilisation. Farmers were taught how to calculate the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium required using the “NPK” ratios tailored for each crop.

4. Pest & Disease Management – The session covered integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for common issues such as mustard leaf spot, soybean aphids, and rapeseed rust. A local entomologist, Dr. Ramesh Saini, highlighted the importance of biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma spp. and Bacillus subtilis.

5. Harvesting & Post‑Harvest Handling – Practical demonstration of proper threshing, drying and storage methods were carried out to minimise oil loss and prevent mold growth. Farmers were shown how to use a small-scale solar dryer, a technology being promoted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

6. Market Linkages & Value Addition – A session conducted by the district marketing officer, Ms. Sunita Rao, focused on identifying buyers, negotiating contracts, and exploring opportunities for small‑scale oil extraction units. The goal is to reduce the number of intermediaries and increase farmers’ margins.

Government Support and Funding

The programme was part of a larger initiative by the Jammu and Kashmir government to promote “New Crop Diversification” and to encourage farmers to adopt high‑value crops. The Department of Agriculture has earmarked Rs. 15 crore for similar training sessions across the state for the next two years. Additionally, the Indian Ministry of Agriculture has introduced subsidies for the purchase of seed drills, irrigation pumps and drying equipment, making the adoption of these technologies more affordable.

The University of JKSU’s Extension Office, under the leadership of Dr. Priyanka Sharma, highlighted that the training will also include the creation of a “model farm” on the university campus. The model farm will serve as a continuous learning platform for students, researchers and local farmers, allowing them to experiment with different varieties and cultivation practices.

Farmer Voices

Mr. Bhat expressed his gratitude, saying, “This training was eye‑opening. I now understand how to choose the right seed and how to protect my crop from diseases. I’m confident that in the next season, my yield will increase by at least 30 %.” Another farmer, Mrs. Sangeeta Devi, added, “I am excited about the market linkages. If I can get a fair price for my produce, my family will have a better future.”

Looking Ahead

The Udhampur District Agriculture Office plans to organise similar training programmes for other high‑yield crops such as chickpea and mung bean, which have shown increasing profitability in the past decade. In parallel, the university intends to publish a crop‑specific guidebook in both English and Hindi, detailing best practices for each crop.

The training event also drew attention from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), which has expressed interest in partnering with the university to conduct research on climate‑resilient oilseed varieties. The district’s first demonstration plot for drought‑tolerant rapeseed is expected to start next monsoon season, leveraging the knowledge gained from this training.

Conclusion

The Udhampur farmers’ visit to the Jammu and Kashmir State Agricultural University for oilseed cultivation training underscores the pivotal role of education, technology, and government support in modernizing agriculture. By equipping local farmers with the skills to grow, manage and market high‑value oilseed crops, the state is paving the way for increased farmer incomes, reduced dependency on traditional staples, and greater food‑security resilience. As the training continues to unfold, the hope is that the ripple effect will inspire neighbouring districts to follow suit, ultimately transforming the agricultural landscape of Jammu and Kashmir into a more diversified, prosperous, and sustainable sector.