Stalls set up at Kashmir Haat to showcase local produce to G20 delegates

Srinagar, May 23: The Agriculture Department Kashmir and farmers have set up different kinds of stalls at Kashmir Haat in Srinagar to showcase locally grown vegetables and other crops to the G20 delegates.
The department has installed stalls of honey, vegetables, saffron, millets, dried vegetables, saffron, mushroom, garlic, onion, sweet corn and other vegetables grown in Jammu and Kashmir.
Gowhar Ali Lone, an innovative and inspirational farmer from Tangmarg area of Baramulla district who practices integrated farming and is an expert in mushroom cultivation has also put a stall at the Kashmir Haat displaying several vegetables and crops.
“We have put on display different agriculture products like Zera, Rajma Dal, Honey etc. This is an important opportunity for the farmers so that our produce can make it to the national and international markets,” he said.
He said the G2O Summit-like events are an excellent opportunity to display the vegetables that have the potential to go to intentional markets.
Notably, earlier this year Lieutenant Governor J&K, Manoj Sinha mentioned Gowhar in the 24th edition of Awaam Ki Awaaz, monthly radio program, and praised the 30-year-old’s integrated farming. Earlier also, he had received an award of appreciation by Lieutenant Governor J&K in recognition for promotion of mushrooms in district Baramulla.
“The event will benefit the farming community and we can directly import the produce when people know the potential of the vegetables that are grown in Kashmir,” the farmer said.
Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Muhammad Iqbal said Kashmir Haat is expected to witness the G20 delegates adding that it is a nice opportunity to showcase agriculture products to them.
“We have put on display all the agricultural products. The move will benefit the farmers to a larger extent and the produce will catch the attention of the global delegates and it will increase the demand as well,” he said.
The director said G20 is a great opportunity and it will boost farmers in many aspects. “The delegates will see crops and vegetables and the availability of locally grown crops. The people will see the same and this is the biggest opportunity for the farmers,” he said.
Agriculture experts said that the agriculture and allied primary sectors constitute considerably towards the economic well-being of Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, over the past six to seven years, there has been a paradigm shift and the agriculture sector has changed a lot with farmers reaping success of their produce.
J&K’s economy is predominantly agriculture dependent and nearly 70 percent of the population is directly or indirectly engaged in agricultural and allied occupations, which makes the UT dependent on agriculture which is based on Small Land Holdings.