Vegetables from Kashmir fetch Rs 75 crore to J

Srinagar, Sep 20 (UNI) A revenue of Rs 75 crore had been generated by selling 16,500 metric tonnes of vegetable from the Kashmir valley in various markets of the country during last year, an official spokesman said today.

The Agriculture Department raised 6.15 lakh hybrid vegetable seeds in various nurseries during the period.

Of these, 2.92 lakh seedlings were distributed among farmers on concessional rates, the spokesman added.

The department has covered about 814 hectares of land under the vegetable crop and 30 low cost green houses established for producing high-yielding crop during off seasons.

The spokesman said in order to increase the vegetable production in the valley, the department has constructed 12 water tanks on community basis and provided 1100 irrigation pump sets to farmers on subsidised rates.

The state government has applied thrust on cultivation of vegetables and flowers as new sector to generate employment avenues and to boost the economy, he added.

A model floriculture farm, comprising two and half hectares of land has also been established at Nuner, where Lilium, Lavender and rose species are being cultivated with the help of VWS, a Holland-based consultancy company.

UNI AG AKJ DS1300