Srinagar: SK University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir signed a memorandum of understanding with Bayer CropScience Limited (BCSL) on Tuesday at varsity’s Shalimar campus, here.

Under the MoU three more virtual weather stations will be established in Kashmir region to provide apple scab management advisory to growers through extension infrastructure of SKUAST-K, a varsity handout said.

Dr MS Mir, director research, SKUAST-K and Simon Thorsten Weibubusch, chief operating officer BCSL signed the pact in presence of Prof Nazeer Ahmed, VC SKUAST-Kashmir.

The MoU is aimed to improve the fruit quality and enhance its productivity through promotion of good agriculture practices and plant protection.

It also aims to increasing the income of apple growers by sharpening their skill, value chain interactions and novel solutions in the field of crop protection.

Under the MoU three more virtual weather stations will be established in Kashmir region to provide Apple Scab Management Advisory to growers through extension infrastructure of SKUAST-K. These are in addition to already three such stations established at Shalimar, Shopian and Wadoora, Sopore.

Under broad areas of collaboration between the SKUAST-K and BCSL, besides capacity building of growers the members shall be advised for effective scab management for following weather conditions through SMS based communication system/Mobile App. advisories.

The VC during the course spelled out the research and extension services provided by the University scientists to the farmers about timely weather based forecasting in the valley and required measures to be taken in future.

Later, the BCSL team also visited the apple high density plantations at Shalimar and interacted with scientists and students.