Farmers in J

Srinagar, Sep 16 (UNI) Encouraged by abundant flowers coupled with favorable agro-climate conditions, more and more people are now taking commercial flowering in the Jammu and Kashmir where government has decided to provide all possible help, besides constructing a cold storage in the vicinity of the airport to boost the trade.

Director Floriculture Kashmir, Dr Ghulam Sarwar Naqash said the department had registered 300 flower growers under the commercial sector during last year.

So far 240 beneficiaries stand registered this fiscal, he said at a function here today.

He said the registered beneficiaries are provided technical counselling by the experts of the department regarding cultivation of flowers.

He called upon the farmers to adopt to commercial flowering in view of its tremendous potential for employment and as a source of tourist attraction.

Later Principal secretary Agriculture and Floriculture. Sonali Kumar distributed incentive cheques to the tune of about Rs 9.50 lakh under the Technology Mission among 12 flower growers of different parts of the Kashmir valley.

Speaking on the occasion, she emphasised the need for growing flowers on large scale for commercial purposes as there was great demand of flowers not only in the country but outsidealso.

She said all measures are being taken to boost floriculture sector in view of its potential for employment and aesthetic aspect.

She called upon the farmers to join hands with the Floriculture department in making Jammu and Kashmir a state of flowers.

To ensure proper care and preservation of flowers for export purposes, a cold storage facility will be constructed in the vicinity of Srinagar Airport soon, she added.

Mrs Sonali Kumar hoped that with the beginning in floriculture, the state would touch new heights in the coming days.

UNI BAS AK AS1332