Gurez, July 14: Director Extension, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, concluded a three-day visit to Gurez, reaffirming the university's commitment to tribal women empowerment, drudgery reduction and farmer-centric technological interventions across the valley.

During the visit, Prof. Kanth interacted with farmers, farm women and aspiring agri-entrepreneurs across Bagtore, Gurez and Tulail, while reviewing frontline demonstrations (FLDs) and on-farm trials (OFTs) being implemented by KVK Gurez for the 2026-27 season.
She assessed the performance of the wheat variety SW-03 introduced through the National Seed Project (NSP), covering over 70 hectares and benefiting nearly 700 farming families across Gurez and Tulail, including the remote village of Chakwali. She also visited the Potato Seed Village at Badugam, the Maize Village at Tarbal, and the Buckwheat Seed Village at Dangan to evaluate crop performance and farmer adoption.
Prof. Kanth said that under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, SKUAST-K is focusing on reviving traditional crops while introducing climate-resilient and location-specific technologies to enhance productivity, diversify livelihoods and improve the quality of life of tribal farming communities. She appreciated the efforts of KVK Gurez in successfully implementing extension programs and achieving significant field-level outcomes.
Highlighting the UN declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Women Farmer (IYWF-2026), she said SKUAST-K is intensifying efforts to empower women through drudgery-reducing technologies, greater participation in farm decision-making and improved access to livelihood opportunities.
As part of the outreach program, high-quality agricultural inputs were distributed free of cost under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP-ICAR) to 50 tribal farming families, the majority of them women farmers from the remote Banjran area of Bagtore Block.
Farmers expressed appreciation for the continued support of KVK Gurez and the university's sustained efforts to strengthen agriculture and improve rural livelihoods in the border region.