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Constraints in Kashmir’s present plant propagation system

By: Hussain Shah

There are several constraints in the existing system of plant propagation due to existence of numerous private nurseries playing important role in multiplication of planting material of horticulture crops and many of them follow traditional methods and lack adequate infrastructure and sell plant material of unknown pedigree.

Of many other constraints, un-availability of standardized root stock, maintenance of healthy stocks of elite varieties are amongst few.

A number of Govt. nurseries do exist and planting material is also being produced by ICAR institutes and SAUs.

Presently only 30-40 percent demand of planting material is being met by the existing infrastructure. Generally farmers don’t have excess to good quality certified disease free planting material of true to type varieties as a result of which production, productivity and quality of the produce suffers heavily.

At present, most of the dependence is on the un-regulated private sector nurseries which lack modern infrastructure such as green houses, mist chamber, efficient nursery tools and gadgets, machinery etc.

The Govt. in general and concerned department in particular need to stream line the production and supply chain of planting material. They should ensure and monitor the availability of genuine rootstock, its source of procurement, establishment of mother orchards within the premises of nursery as its major component, certification of bud & graft wood and stream lining the rates of the plant material.

Since the department has the inventory of all the govt and registered private nurseries in their respective districts and chief Horticulture officer should designate an officer to issue indents for the purchase of planting material from these sources in order to have check on its quality, genuinety, pricing and/or any other constraints. This shall also take care of road side vendors etc.

The author is former Director Research, SKUAST-KASHMIR.

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