Kulgam, Jan 22: South Kashmir’s Kulgam district exports approximately 5000 metric tons of various vegetables annually to different parts of the country with garlic generating 7.22 crores of revenue to the district, officials said.
Malik Reyaz Ahmad, District Agriculture Officer, Kulgam, told Rising Kashmir that the district has a total net area of 23,265 hectares under agriculture, with 2,976 hectares specifically dedicated to vegetable cultivation.
“Kulgam’s garlic cultivation covers a total of 164 hectares, resulting in a production of 1804 metric tons and generating revenue of 7.22 crores for the Kulgam district, followed by chilies, which contribute 195 metric tons with a revenue generation of 2.925 crores,” he said.
He said, the implementation of awareness programs under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), reaching all 176 panchayats in Kulgam. The goal of these programs was to educate farmers about various schemes available for their benefit.
“The diverse range of crops involved in the export includes G M Dari, Khanayari, Tomato, Peas, Brinjal, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Potato, Bottle Gourd, among others,” he said, adding that the Agriculture Department in Kulgam is helping farmers learn about important government schemes like PM Kisan and Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Mission and Submission on Agricultural Mechanization.
He said the agricultural endeavor not only contributes significantly to the local economy but also reflects the success of proactive measures in supporting and promoting the region’s agricultural productivity.
Abdul Rashid Laway, a famous agriculturalist acknowledges the agricultural department’s timely suggestions and assistance in the form of machinery and hybrid seed varieties for various crops as a new boon for farmers.
“They provided me with a greenhouse shed for vegetable cultivation. Every year, they supply seeds such as maize, vegetable seeds, etc. They also organize awareness programs for agriculturalists to impart agricultural knowledge, which is beneficial for farmers,” he added.
