The Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal Saturday visited Model Lavender Centre Nunner Ganderbal and inspected different blocks of the farm.

The Director was briefed by the concerned Farm Manager, Technical Experts about different aromatic, medicinal plants cultivated in the farm, besides various latest interventions adopted and introduced during the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants.

Pertinent to mention, Floriculture Development Farm Nunner Ganderbal is unique in its specialization for the propagation and development of aromatic and medicinal plants in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, Director Agriculture marked the economic importance of ornamental and medicinal plants in the overall agriculture ecosystem. He said there is a vast potential in this sector and the Department has a floriculture development scheme for strengthening this sector in the valley.

He said that under HADP, ‘promotion of medicinal/ aromatic plants on commercial basis’ and ‘promotion of commercial floriculture’ projects are under implementation in this direction.

Iqbal said the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants on commercial lines and participation of educated youth in this allied wing could help achieve economic security to the concerned farming families.

He said Kashmir being one of the best tourist destinations in the country has immense opportunities for the marketing of ornamental plants and floriculture products therefore the Department is endeavouring to attract more and more farmers towards the cultivation of ornamental and medicinal plants.