Secy Agriculture visits key agricultural facilities

Pampore/Srinagar, July 04:  Devesh Chaturvedi, IAS, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA& FW), Government of India, today visited prominent agricultural institutions and facilities in the Kashmir Valley to assess ongoing initiatives and explore avenues for strengthening the sector.As per a statement issued here, Chaturvedi inspected the Indian International Kashmir Saffron Trade Centre (IIKSTC), Pampore, where he reviewed the post-harvest and value-addition infrastructure in the centre. He appreciated the technological advancements being implemented to support saffron growers and emphasised the importance of branding and marketing to ensure better price realization for farmers.Basharat Qayoom (IAS) Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Vikas Anand Director Horticulture, Sartaj Ahmad Shah Director Agriculture Sartaj Ahmad Shah, Senior officers of the Department and scientists accompanied the Secretary during the visits.The Secretary also visited the Honey Testing Laboratoryat lalmandi, where he examined the facilities supporting quality assurance and value addition for apiculture-based products. He stressed the significance of traceability and certification in ensuring access to national and international markets.Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah briefed the dignitarory about the activities, achievements, and future plans of the department across these key sectors. Later, Chaturvedi toured the Floriculture Nursery at Lalmandi, where he took note of the varieties being cultivated and the potential for floriculture as a high-value agri-enterprise in the region.