Agri deptt to distribute subsidized hybrid flower seedlings

Srinagar, June 09: In an effort to further boost floriculture, the Agriculture Department Kashmir would distribute hybrid flower seedlings at subsidy rates to people in urban areas.
Dr Anjum Rashid, Floriculturist, Department of Agriculture Kashmir said they will distribute Marigold, Salvia, Celocia, Dahalia, Antrinhm, Petunia, Zenia, Dianthus, Daffodils Godetia, Calendula, Carnation etc. The department has also introduced many hybrid varieties like decorative dahalia, cockscomb, marigold etc.
“All these varieties are available with the department and shortly after a few days we will go for the mass sale at subsidized rates at the local nursery of Lal Mandi Office,” she said.
Anjum said earlier they used to distribute different kinds of open-pollinated varieties every year but this is for the first time that they are going to distribute hybrid flower varieties.
“It is aimed to invite and encourage people to take up floriculture and also encourage them to take it up at the commercial level. It also has an aesthetic aspect of the urban areas,” she said.
“We have also included new varieties. There are some varieties that have been taken from outside and adopted in Kashmir which weren’t there before,” he said.
The floriculturist said that the distribution is open to all the people and people can come and take advantage of the distribution and they will be starting it in a few days.
“Floriculture is something which is synonymous with agriculture. Many people still do not know about the floriculture wing of the agriculture department. We have been working on a mission mode and now people are coming up and seeking flower seedlings,” she said.
Dr Anjum said earlier this year, the Jammu and Kashmir government approved two projects of floriculture one on commercial floriculture and another on medicinal aromatic plants that would revive and boost the floriculture.
Officials said the implementation of the project is expected to bring a major change in the floriculture sector and provide a significant boost. “This will not only benefit the farmers but also contribute to the overall economic development of the region,” they said.