GANDERBAL : The Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal today visited Floriculture Development Farm Nunner Ganderbal to take stock of its functioning.

During the visit, the Director took tour of different blocks of the farm and was briefed by the concerned Farm Manager, Technical Experts about different ornamental, medicinal plants cultivated in the farm. Besides, various latest interventions adopted and introduced during the cultivation of ornamental and medicinal plants were also brought into his notice.

It is worth mentioning here that Floriculture Development Farm Nunner Ganderbal is unique in its specialization for the propagation and development of ornamental and medicinal plants in the region.

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

Iqbal said the cultivation of ornamental and medicinal plants on commercial lines and participation of educated youth in this allied wing could help in achieving the 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.

Director Agriculture was accompanied by Deputy Director Planning Mohammad Younis Chowdhary, Divisional Seed Certification Officer Sheikh Imran and other officers of the Department.