Dir Agriculture visits model floriculture center G’bl

Ganderbal, July 03: Director Agriculture Kashmir Sartaj Ahmad Shah today visited Model Floriculture Center  Nunar, Ganderbal. As per a statement issued, the director flagged off the first ever consignment of dry Lavender Flower Spikes to Dehradun. While interacting with the officers he highlighted the economic importance of the lavender crop and said that it is one of the best cash crops in the world. He said the demand for quality planting material of lavender has increased over the years and efforts are on to attract progressive agriculture entrepreneurs towards this aromatic crop. Sartaj said that the idea behind the promotion and introduction of lavender crop to newer areas on commercial lines is to create employment opportunities for the youth. He further said that in coming days the uncultivable and barren land throughout the valley will be brought under the cultivation of Lavender crop. The Agri-Tourism Director said that already three Departmental Farms are brought under this crop to boost the agriculture and tourism sectors.Pertinent to mention that lavender is a perennial shrub belonging to the mint family. Besides being an ornamental plant it is also an economically viable plant mostly used in the aroma  and medicine industry. Later the director took a detailed review of the working of the farm while the Floriculture Development Officer Waheed Ur Rehmaan gave a detailed overview of the different activities being implemented at the farm