ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT (1st April 2018 to 31st March 2019)

Research Project

“Livelihood improvement through quality corm production viz-a-viz promotion of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivation in cold arid regions of Ladakh”

Under National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS)

Saffron Research Station Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar Srinagar – 192 121 (J&K)

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1. Project Information Project ID: GBPNI/NMHS-2017-18/SG-26 Sanction Date: 23-02-2017 Project Title: Livelihood improvement and empowerment of rural poor through quality bulb production in cut flowers under temperate conditions of Kashmir Valley BTG: PI and Affiliation Dr. M. H. Khan, Saffron Research Station, Sher-e-Kashmir University of (Institution): Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir Dassu, Pampore – 192 121 (J&K) Name & Address of Dr. S. A. Dar, Dr. B A Alie, Dr. Mir G. Hassan, Saffron Research the Co-PI, if any: Station, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir Dassu, Pampore (J&K) Dr. Z. A. Bhat, Division of Floriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir Shalimar, Srinagar (J&K) Structured Abstract - The project started with the survey of pilot sites by the PI and Co-PI’s in detailing the current collaboration with the Programme Coordinators of KVK Kargil and year progress [Word Zanaskar in which interested farmers were identified and 3 self-help Limit 250 words]: groups were formed at two project location. Each self-help group consisted of 9-11 farmers. Two training programmes one at each project location were conducted in collaboration with MAR&ES, Kargil, KVK Kargil and KVK Zanaskar SKUAST-K in which farmers and unemployed rural youth were trained with regard to the cultivation of saffron for corm production/ multiplication under both open and protected conditions. In each training programme 40 farmers were trained making a total of 80 farmers at two project locations. In addition the farmers living in surrounding areas of the project locations were also trained in the training programmes. One more training programme was conducted at Saffron Research Station, Pampore during the Saffron Day/Saffron Festival held on 26th of October 2018. Twenty farmers 10 each from Kargil and Zanaskar were invited to participate at Saffron Day with the aim that the farmers would interact with the saffron growers of the valley to discuss the benefits in saffron production and corm multiplication. A total of 25 trails were laid at the farmers field’s including 3 trials 1 each at MAR&ES, Kargil, KVK Kargil and KVK Zanaskar SKUAST-Kashmir. Saffron flowers were harvested from each trial and saffron dried and packed. The foliage of the crop is continuously being monitored and will continue upto May to assess the corm multiplication through random uprooting of the corms.

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Project Partner Name Affiliations Role & Responsibilities MAR&ES, Kargil SKUAST-Kashmir Co-ordinates in conducting training programmes and awareness camps KVK Kargil SKUAST-Kashmir Co-ordinates in conducting training programmes and awareness camps KVK Zanaskar SKUAST-Kashmir Co-ordinates in conducting training programmes and awareness camps

2. Project Site Details Project Site Farmers Field Kargil, Farmers Field Zanaskar, MAR&ES, Kargil, KVK Kargil, KVK Zanaskar, SKUAST-Kashmir, Farmers Field at Dara Srinagar Site Maps Annexure I 3. Project Activities Chart w.r.t. Timeframe [Gantt or PERT]

Project Activities Work Undertaken OUTPUT April 2019 to Dec. 2019 Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4 Recruitment of project staff Staff recruited Construction of polyhouses Polyhouses constructed Identification of self-help groups Self-help groups formed Demonstration of trials Trials laid Recording of flowering and Data recorded foliage parameters Conducting trainings programmes Two trainings programmes conducted

4. Project Beneficiary Groups

Beneficiary Groups [Capacity Building] Target Achieved No. of Beneficiaries with income generation 9 self-help groups Ongoing No. of stakeholders trained, particularly women 180 persons Ongoing No. of capacity building Workshops/ trainings 9 3 No. of Awareness & outreach programmes 6 2 No. of Research/ Resource Persons Trained Ongoing Ongoing

5. Project Progress Summary (for the Reporting Period ONLY) Description Total Total (No.) Description (attach separate Annexure, if reqd.) IHR States Covered

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Project Site/ Field Stations Developed 25 A total of 25 project sites have been developed at farmers field sites and MAR&ES, Kargil, KVK Kargil and KVK Zanaskar SKUAST-K where the demonstration trails have been laid. No. of Trainings (No. of Beneficiaries) 2 Two training were conducted (80 beneficiaries) at two project locations in which 80 farmers and unemployed rural youth were trained with regard to the cultivation of saffron for corm production/ multiplication under both open and protected conditions. Workshop Demonstration Models (Site) Livelihood Options The work for improving the livelihood of the beneficiaries is under going

6. Project Concluding Remark (for the Reporting Period ONLY) Kindly brief of the following Progress Parameters (and detailed in Annexure-I) for the Reporting Period ONLY:

Objectives Outputs / Outcomes Monitoring Measurable against Objective Indicators Deliverables Forming self-help A survey was undertaken groups of farmers and by PI and Co-PI’s in unemployed youth district Kargil to identify instigating them to the interested farmers. work in participatory Three self-help groups mode. each constituting of 9-11 members were formed. Growing of saffron The demonstration trials corms under both of saffron have been laid open and protected at 25 locations under both conditions using open and protected improved agro- conditions on farmer’s techniques. fields at Kargil and Zanaskar. Human resource Two training programmes development by one at each project imparting training to location were conducted

3 the farmers and in collaboration with unemployed rural MAR&ES, Kargil, KVK youths on saffron Kargil and KVK Zanaskar production / corm SKUAST-K in which multiplication farmers and unemployed rural youth were trained.

Methodology (in brief)  Construction of polyhouses  Formation of self-help groups  Demonstration of trails in the farmers fields at Kargil and Zanaskar under both open and protected conditions  Trainings and awareness camps Major Research Achievements Brief Conclusion - the current progress –  Engagement of field project staff for the reporting period ONLY (pointwise)  Polyhouses constructed as per the objective of the project  Three self-help groups formed. Each self- help group consisted of 9-11 farmers  25 demonstration trials of saffron have been laid at two project locations  Two trainings conducted, 1 at each location  Saffron Day conducted at SRS, SKUAST-K Progress Achieved (%) 100 % as per the objectives in the reporting time Remaining work to be done The main objective of the project is corm multiplication. The multiplication of corms is to be checked through random sampling in the month of May 2019 after completion of vegetative phase of the crop. 7. Next Reporting Period Plan and Projections (month-wise) April 2019 to June 2019 8. Additional information, if any:

Submitted to: Nodal Officer, NMHS-PMU National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD), Kosi-Katarmal, Almora 263643, Uttarakhand E-mail: [email protected]

Submitted by:

Dr M. H. Khan Assistant Professor/ PI of Project Saffron Research Station, Pampore

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Detailed Progress Report (April 2018 to March 2019)

Project ID: GBPNI/NMHS-2017-18/SG-26 Sanction Date: 23-02-2018 Project Title: “Livelihood improvement through quality corm production viz-a-viz promotion of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) cultivation in cold arid regions of Ladakh” Principal Investigator: Dr. M. H. Khan, Assistant Professor, (Genetics & Plant Breeding), Saffron Research Station, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir Dassu, Pampore (J&K) Objective 1: Survey of the pilot areas for identification of interested farmers Results  A survey was undertaken by Principal Investigator and Co- Principal Investigator’s in district Kargil to identify the interested farmers for cultivation of saffron under both protected and open conditions. Three self-help groups each constituting of 9-11 members were formed. During the survey, 2 spots were identified where polyhouses were constructed. The list of the self-help groups is as under: (Photographs: Annexure II) List of self-help groups (*Group leaders) S. No. Self Help Group -1 Self Help Group -2 Self Help Group -3 (Location Panikhar (Location Nerok (Location Trespone Kargil) Zanskar) Kargil) 1. Tyaub Ahmad* Tsering Dolma* Haji Mohd* S/o Abdul Khaliq W/o Toshi Tundup S/o Mohd Ali 2. Syed Mubarak Shah Dorjay Palmo Nikhat S/o Syed Najamdin W/o Tseway Phuntsok D/o Mushtaq Ahmad 3. Zehra Bano Nyimo Putit Asif W/o Ghulam Ahmad W/o Rinzin Chordan S/o Ghulam Hassan 4. Mohd Shafi Sonam Lamo Hussain Bano S/o Gh Rasool W/o Phuntsok Sandup W/o Bashir Ahmad 5. Abdul Hamid Tsering Garkith Khalida S/o Abdul Ahad W/o Gurmath Sonam W/o Manzoor Ahmad 6. Zakir Hussian Sonam Kunzom Safiya

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S/o Haji Abdul Rehman W/o Tsering Motup W/o Gulzar Ahmad

7. Hina Bano Tashi Dolma Kulsum W/o Abdul Salam W/o Tashi Morup W/o Farooq Ahmad 8. Fatima Thukjay Dolkar Saroo W/o Rafiq Ahmad W/o Ldepo Tsering W/o Mansoor Ahmad 9. Safiya Yanchan Dolma Farida W/o Shameem Ahmad W/o Tashi Phuntsole W/o Raj Mohd 10. Zanib Terzin Nankha - W/o Zamaan Ahmad D/o Tseway Faber 11. Zareena Akhter Padma Yauychen - W/o Abdul Majeed W/o Tundep Phuntsole Objective 2: • Purchase of planting material Results Sixteen (16) quintals of planting material was purchased from Saffron Research Station, Pampore for laying out the trials at Kargil and Zanaskar.

Objective 3: • Demonstration of saffron trials and agro-technologies under both open and protected conditions on farmer’s fields. Results The demonstration trials of saffron have been laid at 25 locations under both open and protected conditions on farmer’s fields at Kargil and Zanaskar. The standardized agro-

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S.No Name of Farmer with parentage Location Area Covered 1. Motup Tsering S/o Tseway Faber Stara, Zanaskar 5 marlas 2. Abdul Samad S/o Abdul Gani Ufti, Zanaskar 5 marlas 3. Tsering Dolma W/o Sonam Rigtol Gyapak, Zanaskar 5 marlas 4. Tsering Yauchen W/o Thukjay Gyatso Gyapak, Zanaskar 5 marlas 5. Lobzang Rimcher S/o Sonam Rigtol Gyapak, Zanaskar 5 marlas 6. Tsering Dolma W/o Tashi Tundup Nerok, Zanaskar 5 marlas 7. Lobzang Nidol D/o Tsering Namgyal Salapi, Zanaskar 5 marlas 8. Lobzang Ladol D/o Labzang Ganwa Salapi, Zanaskar 5 marlas 9. KVK, Zanaskar (Open and Polyhouse) Zanaskar 5 marlas 10. Mohd Hussian S/o Haji Hassan Manji, Kargil ½ marlas 11. Sadiq Ali S/o Fida Hussian Manji, Kargil 5 marlas 12. Haji Ghulam Ahmad S/o Mohd Isa Manji, Kargil 5 marlas 13. Haji Mohd Ali S/o Ali Ghulam Manji, Kargil 5 marlas 14. Haji Mohd S/o Haji Ghulam Mohd Poyen, Kargil 5 marlas 15. Mohd Musa S/o Mohd Ali Baroo, Kargil 5 marlas 16. Akhoon Hanifa S/o Akhoon G. Mehdi Baroo, Kargil 5 marlas 17. Mohd Hasnain S/o Haji Mohd Mussa Batalik, Kargil ½ marlas 18. Mohd Ali S/o Haji Mohd Mussa Batalik, Kargil 5 marlas 19. Mohd Ali S/o Mohd Jaffar Karpothang, Kargil 5 marlas 20. Gh. Nabi S/o Haji Mohd Musa TV Colony, Kargil 5 marlas 21. Haji Mohd (Group Leader) Trespone, Kargil ½ kanal 22. Syed Mubarak Shah S/o Syed Najamdin Rarik, Panikhar 5 marlas 23. Zareena Akhter W/o Mohd Hassan Pranthi, Panikhar 5 marlas 24. KVK, Kargil Kargil ½ kanal 25. MAR&ES, Kargil Kargil ½ kanal Total Area Covered 7.75 Kanals

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Objective 4: Human resource development by imparting training to the farmers and unemployed rural youths on corm production/ multiplication Results Two training programmes one at each project location were conducted in collaboration with MAR&ES, Kargil, KVK Kargil and KVK Zanaskar SKUAST-K in which farmers and unemployed rural youth were trained with regard to the cultivation of saffron for corm production/ multiplication under both open and protected conditions. 1st training programme was conducted at Kargil on 5th June 2018 during survey wherein the farmers were educated about the importance and benefits of saffron cultivation. 2nd training programme was conducted during planting of saffron on 20th September 2018 at Zanaskar wherein the scientists from KVK’s also delivered lectures. In each training programme 40 farmers were trained making a total of 80 farmers at two project locations. In addition the farmers living in surrounding areas of the project locations were also trained in the training programmes. One more training programme was conducted at Saffron Research Station, Pampore during the Saffron Day/Saffron Festival held on 26th of October 2018. Twenty farmers, 10 each from Kargil and Zanaskar were invited to participate at Saffron Day with the aim that the farmers would interact with the saffron growers of the Valley to discuss the benefits in saffron production and corm multiplication side by side with the problems if any, being faced during successful cultivation of saffron so that they would visualize the same in their fields at Kargil and Zanaskar. (Photographs: Annexure IV)

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ANNEXURE I: Site Maps/Study Area

Kargil is located 204 km from Srinagar to the west, 234 km from Leh to the east and 240 km from Padum to the southeast. Kargil has an average elevation of 2,676 meters and is situated along the banks of the Suru River (Indus). It has cool and temperate climate. Summers are warm with cool nights, while winters are long and cold with temperatures often dropping to −20-30 °C. Zanskar is a subdistrict of the Kargil district, which lies in the eastern half of the state of J&K. The average height of the Zanskar Range is about 6,000 m. Much of Zanskar's vegetation is found in the irrigated villages, and on the upper slopes which receive more precipitation and where it consists of alpine and tundra species. Zanskar is a high altitude semi- desert lying on the Northern flank of the Great Himalayan Range. Most of the precipitation occurs as snowfall during the harsh and extremely long winter period. These winter snowfalls are of vital importance, since they feed the glaciers which melt in the summer and provide most of the irrigation water. Parts of Zanskar valley are considered some of the coldest continually inhabited places in the world.

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Annexure II Survey of the pilot areas

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Annexure IIIa

Demonstration of trials under both open and protected conditions

Under open conditions

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Under protected conditions

Annexure IIIb

Flowering and Foilage presentation of trials

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Annexure IV Training cum Awareness camps

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