ZT News Network
BARAMULLA: Kashmir’s total area under vegetable cultivation has increased from 48000 hectare to 51000 hectare, while as production has increased from 1536 MTs to 1638 MTs.
Giving these details, Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Navin Choudhary today during his visit to Vegetable Cluster, Janbazpora, Baramulla, directed the Officers of the department to put in all efforts to promote organic farming and work on getting Geographical Indication (GI) for the organic produce. He urged to create Farm Produce Organisations (FPOs) at block level with different areas of specialization for maximizing profits.
Navin Choudhary asked District Development Commissioner Baramulla to identify land along the highway so that few shops are established and the growers are facilitated to sell their produce.
District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, G.N.Itoo, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Altaf Aijaz Andrabi, Chief Agriculture Officer Baramulla, Mohammad Yousuf Shah and other officials of Agriculture department accompanied Principal Secretary during his visit.
Navin Choudhary said that it has been observed that impact of area expansion for vegetable cultivation is helping marginal farmers and making them economically better. He added that convergence of different departments is of paramount importance in the years to come as it will prove beneficial in implementing various schemes on the ground.
During the visit Director Agriculture, Kashmir, Altaf Andrabi, gave a detailed presentation regarding various farmer friendly initiatives being taken by the department to change the overall agricultural scenario of district Baramulla.